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Putin Orders Largest Conscription… 160,000 Young Men Called for Military Service
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The unprecedented scale of this draft reflects deep challenges faced by Russian forces on the battlefield, pushing Moscow to rely once again on conscription despite previous policy directions
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the conscription of 160,000 young men into military service amid ongoing military operations against Ukraine. This decision comes as part of efforts to bolster the manpower of the Russian army, which is facing growing battlefield challenges.
According to the presidential decree published on Monday, young Russians aged between 18 and 30 are to be enlisted by mid-July. This move marks a shift in Russia’s military strategy towards increasing troop numbers within the armed forces.
This conscription drive is the largest since the Kremlin shifted its focus towards professional soldiers and short-term service as part of military reforms initiated in 2012. The change signals a return to mass recruitment after years of prioritizing a smaller, professionalized force.
Russia continues to draft over 100,000 men for one-year military service twice a year—once in the spring and again in the fall. This pattern reaffirms conscription as a fundamental pillar of the Russian armed forces' structure.
The General Staff has stated that Russia is leveraging a centralized electronic database for this conscription campaign. This technological system aims to enhance recruitment efficiency and minimize draft evasion.
However, local enlistment offices have not ceased issuing printed draft notices, which will still be delivered to registered addresses. The combination of traditional and modern methods underscores Russian authorities’ determination to meet their conscription targets.
The Kremlin has already expanded the Russian army's personnel three times since the start of military operations in Ukraine. These consecutive increases highlight the significant manpower demands of ongoing combat and reflect a long-term strategy for the conflict.
