War on Ukraine: Russia raises draft age for conscripts

Russia’s parliament, the State Duma, has raised the limit for conscription to military service by three years to 30. The parliament in Moscow passed the amendment to the law in second and third readings. It should come into effect at the turn of the year. So far, the upper limit is 27 years.

However, the minimum age should remain at 18 years. At first, the legislators had assured that it should be gradually increased to 21 years.

In addition, conscripted Russians are no longer allowed to leave the country once the draft notice has been served. Due to earlier changes in the law, the notifications no longer have to be handed over in person – it is sufficient if the person is entered in an online register. In the event of non-appearance, Russian conscripts are also said to face increased fines of up to 30,000 rubles (around 300 euros).

Hundreds of thousands of men fled abroad

In the fall of 2022, hundreds of thousands of men fled abroad in a sometimes chaotically organized first wave of mobilization. Other Russians avoided conscription because they did not live at their registered address, so that the notice of conscription, which was only valid in letter form, could not be delivered. The Russian leadership closed this legal loophole in the spring of 2023.

Russia has been waging a war of aggression against Ukraine for 17 months – with high losses in its own ranks as well. In order to be able to send more soldiers to the front, President Vladimir Putin had 300,000 reservists mobilized in the fall. Conscripts, on the other hand, are not officially sent to the war zone. However, especially in the first months of the war, there were repeated reports of their deployment in Ukraine. They can also take on tasks to secure the hinterland.