Russia has launched its spring campaign for compulsory military recruitment, covering 160,000 people aged between 18 and 30, reports Agence France-Presse, BTA reports.
The decree signed by President Vladimir Putin specifies that the campaign begins on April 1 and will last until June 15.
The Russian military assures that the newly drafted will not be sent to Ukraine. Vice Admiral Vladimir Tsimlyansky emphasizes that these soldiers will not participate in combat operations, and the Defense Ministry insists that the call is not related to the special military operation in Ukraine.
The recruitment campaign is held twice a year - in spring and autumn. Last spring, 150,000 people were called up to the army, and the year before that - 147,000.
In 2023, Russia raised the upper age limit for compulsory military service from 27 to 30. In response to the attack on Ukraine, the Russian authorities announced a partial mobilization of over 300,000 people in the fall of 2022, which caused a mass exodus from the country for fear of compulsory military service.
Meanwhile, international pressure to end the conflict continues. US President Donald Trump proposed a ceasefire, which Kiev accepted under pressure from Washington. However, Vladimir Putin rejected an unconditional ceasefire, accepting only a limited pause in attacks on energy facilities. According to analysts, Moscow is dragging out the ceasefire process in order to strengthen its positions and expand its territorial control.