State Duma deputies submit bill to increase maximum conscription age to 30

A group of State Duma deputies headed by the Security Committee Chair Andrey Kartapolov have presented a bill to raise the maximum conscription age for serving in the Russian army to 30 years, instead of 27 under the current law.

The bill to amend Russia’s conscription law will expand eligibility for mandatory army service in the short run, by raising the maximum conscription age immediately, while raising the minimum age requirement from 18 to 21 in three stages, scheduled to take place between 2024 and 2026.

Volunteers will nevertheless be able to join the army as soon as they turn 18, even if not subject to mandatory conscription under the new law.

The conscription law only applies to male Russian citizens.

If passed, the amendments will become effective January 1, 2024.