Russia's Military Expansion: Putin Orders Draft of 160,000 Citizens
The Russian military's recruitment drive to begin in April, raising concerns amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the drafting of 160,000 new conscripts into the Russian military, set to take place from April 1 to July 15. This increase marks a slight rise in the number of recruits compared to previous years, with the age range targeted being Russian citizens between 18 and 30 years old.
In 2022, the year the conflict in Ukraine escalated, approximately 134,500 conscripts were called up, increasing to 150,000 in 2023.
Putin's directive also includes an ambitious goal for the Russian Armed Forces to expand to 1.5 million personnel by 2026, which equates to an estimated addition of 180,000 new soldiers.
This draft process occurs every two years and primarily affects young men within the specified age range.
The Kremlin has asserted that this draft is not directly related to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Officials have also emphasized that conscripts will not be deployed to the front line, rather they are expected to fulfill their service in support roles within the homeland.
In recent years, the Russian military has recruited several hundred thousand contract soldiers for deployment in the conflict, offering competitive salaries and significant bonuses.
Last January, President Putin raised the upper age limit for conscription from 27 to 30 years.
The Russian military has undertaken multiple operations during the Ukraine war, which has resulted in substantial casualties.
According to estimates from late last year, Russia has potentially lost over 768,000 personnel since the invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, including dead, wounded, missing, and captured soldiers.
In other developments relating to international perspectives on the conflict, Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently criticized Putin while discussing potential secondary sanctions on Russian oil.
Trump indicated that these measures would be implemented if he perceives that peace negotiations are obstructed due to the Russian president's stance.
He expressed a desire for Putin to finalize a peace agreement to end the war, highlighting the ongoing human cost of the conflict, which he estimated leads to approximately 2,500 deaths among Russian and Ukrainian soldiers each week.
Trump remains hopeful that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will adhere to his intentions to conclude the war.
In 2022, the year the conflict in Ukraine escalated, approximately 134,500 conscripts were called up, increasing to 150,000 in 2023.
Putin's directive also includes an ambitious goal for the Russian Armed Forces to expand to 1.5 million personnel by 2026, which equates to an estimated addition of 180,000 new soldiers.
This draft process occurs every two years and primarily affects young men within the specified age range.
The Kremlin has asserted that this draft is not directly related to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Officials have also emphasized that conscripts will not be deployed to the front line, rather they are expected to fulfill their service in support roles within the homeland.
In recent years, the Russian military has recruited several hundred thousand contract soldiers for deployment in the conflict, offering competitive salaries and significant bonuses.
Last January, President Putin raised the upper age limit for conscription from 27 to 30 years.
The Russian military has undertaken multiple operations during the Ukraine war, which has resulted in substantial casualties.
According to estimates from late last year, Russia has potentially lost over 768,000 personnel since the invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, including dead, wounded, missing, and captured soldiers.
In other developments relating to international perspectives on the conflict, Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently criticized Putin while discussing potential secondary sanctions on Russian oil.
Trump indicated that these measures would be implemented if he perceives that peace negotiations are obstructed due to the Russian president's stance.
He expressed a desire for Putin to finalize a peace agreement to end the war, highlighting the ongoing human cost of the conflict, which he estimated leads to approximately 2,500 deaths among Russian and Ukrainian soldiers each week.
Trump remains hopeful that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will adhere to his intentions to conclude the war.
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