The maximum age of conscription into the Russian armed forces may be increased from 27 to 30 in the spring, MP Andriy Kartapolov said in an interview with Reuters on Thursday in the official newspaper of the Moscow Parliament.

In December, President Vladimir Putin supported the Ministry of Defense’s proposal to change the age category for conscription from 18-27 years to 21-30 years, but according to Kartapolov, the minimum limit will increase only after a transition period of 1-3 years. .

Russia plans to increase its armed forces by 30%, and some say that the idea of ​​a transition period is a clear attempt by the authorities to increase the number of potential recruits to cover losses from the war in Ukraine.

The Russian army consists of both professional soldiers and conscripts. Defense Minister Serhii Shoigu presented plans to increase the combat forces from 1.15 million to 1.5 million soldiers.

Asked about possible changes, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that Putin “supports the idea” of raising the conscription age, but that the details depended on the defense ministry.

Last September, reservists were mobilized in Russia for the first time since World War II. More than 300,000 ex-servicemen, including those who have undergone mandatory military training, have been called up to take up arms.

The role of conscripts in the war has been in the spotlight since Russian troops invaded Ukraine last February. The Ministry of Defense in Moscow admitted that recruits were also sent to the front, although President Putin stated that this would not happen.

According to Western governments, the war in Ukraine cost the lives of tens of thousands of Russian soldiers for almost 11 months. (Source Agerpres)

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