Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, has issued a decree for the conscription of 133,000 new servicemen as part of the country's autumn draft. This recruitment drive, commencing on October 1, 2024, and concluding on December 31, 2024, targets citizens aged 18 to 30 who are not currently in the reserve forces.
Vice-Admiral Vladimir Tsimlyansky, head of Russia's conscription office, confirmed that the conscription terms remain unchanged, with recruits serving a 12-month period within Russian military units. He emphasized that these conscripts would not be deployed to participate in what Russia terms the "special military operation" in the newly annexed regions of Ukraine.
This conscription order comes amidst a broader context of military expansion in Russia. In September 2024, Putin ordered an increase of 180,000 troops to the Russian army, aiming to bring the total number of active servicemen to 1.5 million. This move would position Russia's military as the second largest globally, surpassed only by China.
The Russian military has a long history, with conscription dating back to the early 18th century under Peter the Great. In recent years, the country has been modernizing its armed forces, which include the world's largest stockpile of nuclear weapons and elite units such as the Airborne Forces and Spetsnaz.
Russia's military structure is complex, comprising various branches including the Ground Forces, Aerospace Forces, and Navy. The country also maintains the Strategic Missile Forces, controlling land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, and has established the Russian National Guard (Rosgvardia) as an internal military force in 2016.
While Russia continues to strengthen its military capabilities, it faces international criticism for its actions in Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, Joe Biden, President of the United States, and other NATO leaders have consistently accused Putin of being the sole aggressor in the conflict, which began with a full-scale invasion in February 2022.
The ongoing military activities have raised concerns about human rights violations and the potential for further escalation. Russia's military doctrine, which allows for the use of nuclear weapons under certain circumstances, adds to the complexity of the geopolitical situation.
As Russia proceeds with its autumn draft, the international community continues to monitor the situation closely, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and tensions with neighboring countries.
"I would like to note that conscripts will not be called up to participate in the special military operation in the new regions."
This statement, however, has been met with skepticism by many international observers, given the history of the conflict and previous instances of conscript involvement in combat zones.
The Russian military's expansion and modernization efforts, including this latest conscription drive, reflect the country's broader strategic goals and its perception of growing threats on its western borders. As these developments unfold, they continue to shape the complex landscape of international relations and security in the region.