A significant escalation in military conscription is currently taking place in Russia, marking one of the largest mobilization efforts in recent years. This initiative comes as President Vladimir Putin pushes for a substantial expansion of the nation’s armed forces at a critical juncture in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
On Tuesday, Putin officially signed a decree launching the latest phase of Russia’s biannual conscription campaign, which will last until July 15. During this period, the government plans to draft approximately 160,000 men aged 18 to 30 into the military. This represents an increase of 10,000 compared to last year’s spring conscription drive and a rise of over 15,000 recruits in comparison to three years ago, as reported by the Russian state news agency TASS.
The drive to bolster military numbers is part of a broader strategy by Putin to strengthen Russia’s military capabilities. Three years ago, the country boasted a military personnel count of around 1 million, but that figure has surged to approximately 1.5 million today. This increase reflects Russia’s urgent need to replenish and expand its forces amid the prolonged conflict in Ukraine.
The timing of this latest conscription effort is particularly crucial, as Russia is currently at a crossroads in its military engagement. Reports indicate that Moscow has been supplementing its forces with assistance from North Korean soldiers, aiming to counteract Ukrainian advances in the strategically significant Kursk region. Alongside this, Russian troops have been making steady ground in eastern Ukraine, seeking to consolidate control over contested areas.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts led by the United States to negotiate a resolution to the conflict remain ongoing, underscoring the high-stakes environment in which this conscription is taking place.
