Putin Orders 133,000 New Conscripts in Russia Amid Ukraine Conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the conscription of 133,000 new servicemen for Russia's autumn draft, which runs from October 1 to the end of the year. These conscripts will serve for 12 months but will not participate in the ongoing military operations in new regions of Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has mandated the conscription of 133,000 new recruits as part of Russia's autumn draft, according to a decree issued by the Kremlin and published on Monday in Rossiyskaya Gazeta. The draft, commencing on October 1 and lasting until the end of the year, will target citizens aged 18 to 30 who are not currently in the reserve.

Vice-Admiral Vladimir Tsimlyansky, head of Russia's conscription office, confirmed that the conscription terms remain unchanged, requiring a 12-month service within Russian military units. He also stressed that these new conscripts would not be deployed in the 'special military operation' in Ukraine's newly annexed regions.

Since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has referred to its actions as a 'special military operation'. However, Kyiv and its allies describe it as an unprovoked invasion. Responding to rising threats on Russia's western borders, Putin recently ordered an increase of 180,000 troops, elevating Russia's army size to 1.5 million active servicemen, making it the second-largest military force globally.

(With inputs from agencies.)