Russia plans to increase the conscription age

Russia plans to conscript men under the age of 30 into military service.

The corresponding draft law has been submitted to the State Duma of the Russian Federation. The document was published on the website of the lower house of the parliament, Mediazona writes.

According to the draft law, from January 1 to December 31, 2024, men aged 19 to 30 will be conscripted into military service. Next year, the conscription age will be raised by 1 year to 20 years. From January 1, 2026, men aged 21 to 30 will be drafted.

The same rules are introduced for the alternative service.

Besides, the draft law provides that after January 1 next year, adult men who have not reached conscription age will be able to sign up for military service voluntarily.

If this draft law is adopted, the changes will enter into force on January 1, 2024.

Currently, the conscription age in Russia is from 18 to 27 years.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu made a proposal to raise the conscription age last December. He also suggested that the conscripts should be allowed to conclude a contract from the first day of service, instead of after three months.

As previously reported, in January 2023, Putin signed a decree to increase the size of the Russian army to 1.5 million people. This process will last from 2024 to 2026.