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Russia’s Ministry of Defence proposes raising conscription age from 18 to 21

Russia’s Defence Ministry has proposed to gradually raise the conscription age from 18 to 21, while increasing the maximum conscription age from 27 to 30. The corresponding statement was made by the Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu during an extended session of the Defence Ministry Board.

The minister explained that the reason for such a measure was the necessity to defend Russia from the NATO countries, which are seeking to ramp up its “military capacity” near the Russian borders.

Shoigu also added that he considers it necessary to make it possible for citizens to “become a contract serviceman or be enlisted from the first day of service” upon request.

The Russian Defence Chief also stated the need to found Moscow and St. Petersburg Military Districts.

“<...> to create two interspecific strategic territorial armed forces entities — Moscow and St. Petersburg Military Districts,” Shoigu said, talking about strategic tasks of the ministry for 2023.

Earlier in the session, Shoigu claimed that 830,000 Russian citizens had been exempted from mobilisation.

According to the existing law “On military duty”, male citizens of Russia from the age of 18 to 27 are subject to conscription. As of now, conscription entails one year of mandatory military service.

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