Russian Defense Ministry says draft is over — but mobilization cannot end without president’s decree

All conscription activities in connection with mobilization are finished, and no more draft notices will be issued and sent out, says the Russian Defense Ministry.

Igor Konashenkov, the ministry’s spokesman, reported that, following the orders of Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, he “instructed the command of military districts and the Northern fleet to report on the completion of partial mobilization by November 1.”

Beginning on October 31, military draft offices across Russia must return to regular operations. From now on, they will only conscript volunteers and candidates for the contract army.

• On October 28, Sergey Shoigu reported to Putin that mobilization had been completed. According to the defense minister, 300,000 troops had been conscripted, 82,000 were sent to the front, and 218,000 are currently in training.
• Officially, mobilization cannot end without a president’s decree to that effect. There’s no information as yet about such a document having been drafted, or signed by the president.

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