Russia extends conscription. From 2024 men can be drafted up to the age of 30 – instead of up to the age of 27 as before. This increases the number of men available for military service.
“Show the result – the law is passed,” announced Deputy Speaker Ivan Melnikov. As expected, Russia’s parliament has approved the increase in the age for conscription into the army. And what is surprising is that there were 13 votes against and 28 abstentions – not a huge countermovement, but still rather unusual in today’s Duma.
The reason may be that the law was originally only intended to increase military service: Instead of the previous range of 18 to 27 years, in future 21 to 30-year-olds should start their military service, who then – according to the idea – would already have completed vocational training or university education.
In April, Andrei Kartapolov, head of the Duma Defense Committee, reasoned: “Today a young man joins the army practically straight from the school desk. Without life experience, without a job. Only in the army does he learn his first job and military subjects.”
It was not surprising that the maximum age was raised from 27 to 30 years – but there is no longer any talk of at least 21 years. It remains unchanged for conscription from the age of 18. Which extends the window by three years.
“Defense ability to back up”
Kartapolov openly admitted today: “The main reason for raising the draft age is the need to ensure our defense capability. So that we always have a prepared mobilization reserve.”
And he went on to say: “Anyone who gets upset, with or without reason, will be outraged anyway. If someone wants to leave the country, then please do so, nobody wants to stop them. But all normal people will understand that this is necessary and right.”
That’s only partly true, because the Duma made it more difficult to leave the country: If a draft notice was issued, the person concerned is no longer allowed to leave the country. The penalty for conscripts who do not report to their military office despite being asked to do so has been significantly increased.
There was also quiet grumbling against the extension of the draft age in the Federation Council, the parliamentary chamber of the federal states. Its boss Valentina Matwienko dismissed it: “Of course there were discussions and they will continue, including here in the Federation Council. But I think the senators will support it after it has been passed. I see no reason for undue excitement around this law.”
Can be used in border areas
According to official information, conscripts are not used in the war zone in Ukraine – officially in the zone of special military operations. However, this is possible in the border area with Ukraine, where there have been military conflicts in recent months, such as in the Belgorod region.
The new law increases the number of men available for military service by around three million in one fell swoop. The extension of the draft age is to apply from January 1, 2024 – in time for the next wave of drafts in the spring.