Russia announces its smallest military draft in 12 years
On March 30, Vladimir Putin signed the latest conscription order, drafting 128,000 men between the ages of 18 and 27 into the Russian military between April and July 2018. This year’s spring draft — the country’s smallest in 12 years — comes as the number of draft-age men in Russia continues its eight-year decline. The number of draftees in Russia fell suddenly in 2011, when the Defense Ministry decided to increase the military’s share of contract soldiers. Since 2008, conscripts in all branches of Russia’s armed forces are required to serve for 12 months.
Photo on the front page: Kirill Kukkhmar / TASS / Vida Press
