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Russia’s Military Expansion: A Call-Up of 160,000 Young Conscripts

In a significant move to bolster its military forces, President Vladimir Putin has initiated the conscription of 160,000 men aged 18 to 30. This marks the highest call-up number since 2011, reflecting Russia’s ongoing efforts to enhance its military capabilities amid the protracted conflict in Ukraine.

This call-up for a one-year military service takes place just months after Putin announced plans to augment the overall strength of the military to nearly 2.39 million personnel, which includes increasing the active duty forces to 1.5 million. This expansion represents an increase of 180,000 troops over the next three years.

Vice Admiral Vladimir Tsimlyansky has stated that the new conscripts will not be deployed to fight in Ukraine as part of what Russia terms its “special military operation.” However, there have been reports of earlier conscripts being sent to the frontlines, some experiencing tragic outcomes during fighting near the border and in Ukraine’s contested regions.

This year’s draft, which runs from April to July, proceeds amidst ongoing U.S. attempts to mediate a ceasefire in the conflict. Despite these diplomatic efforts, military operations continue unabated. For instance, Ukraine reported that a recent Russian strike on a power facility in the southern city of Kherson left around 45,000 people without electricity.

Additionally, Russia has claimed to have seized control of another village, Rozlyiv, located in the Donetsk region, continuing its offensive measures in the ongoing war. This current conscription effort is notable, as it exceeds last spring’s draft by 10,000 recruits.

To widen the pool of conscripts, the age limit for eligible draftees has been raised from 27 to 30 over the past year. Notifications for service are being delivered through traditional mail as well as via the state services portal Gosuslugi, reflecting a modernized approach to conscription.

Beyond the scheduled drafts, Russia has actively recruited contract soldiers and has reportedly enlisted thousands from North Korea to compensate for significant troop losses. Independent sources, including the BBC and Mediozona, estimate that over 100,000 Russian soldiers have been killed since the onset of the war, a figure that could potentially be more than double the reported number.

Since initiating military operations in Ukraine in February 2022, Putin has increased the size of his armed forces on three separate occasions. The recent growth in military size has been attributed by the Russian defense ministry to escalating threats from the war in Ukraine and the perceived expansionist policies of NATO.

NATO has indeed seen significant expansion, with Finland and Sweden recently joining the alliance, a direct consequence of Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Finland, which now shares NATO’s longest border with Russia at 1,343 kilometers (834 miles), announced that it would be withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention, which bans anti-personnel mines. This decision mirrors similar steps taken by Poland and the Baltic states, bolstered by security concerns linked to Russia.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo of Finland stated that the decision to resume the use of anti-personnel mines was based on military recommendations, assuring the populace that their safety is not at risk. Furthermore, Finland plans to increase its defense budget to 3% of its GDP, up from 2.4% last year, showcasing a clear commitment to enhancing its military readiness in a volatile security environment.

Source
www.bbc.com