Russian President Vladimir Putin has authorized the conscription of 160,000 additional troops into the military, marking the largest recruitment drive in over a decade, Kyiv Independent reported on Monday.
The decree, published on Russia’s legal announcements website and reported by Interfax, applies to citizens aged 18 to 30. This is the first conscription of such magnitude since 2011.
According to the official statement, “soldiers, sailors, sergeants, and non-commissioned officers whose conscripted military service has expired” will be discharged from duty.
Russia’s Growing Military Force
Russia traditionally conducts conscription twice a year, in the spring and autumn. The most recent autumn recruitment, from October to December 2024, saw 133,000 individuals enlisted for a one-year service.
In a move expanding the scope of military service, Putin signed a law in January 2025 that raised the maximum conscription age from 27 to 30. By December 2024, Russian media reported that the country’s armed forces had grown to nearly 2.4 million personnel, including 1.5 million active military members.
Rising Tensions Amid Ukraine Conflict
This announcement comes amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, where Russia continues to face international condemnation.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has strongly opposed any potential deployment of Western peacekeepers to Ukraine. Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned that such a move could escalate tensions into a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO. She further accused the United Kingdom and France of planning military intervention under the guise of peacekeeping.
European Leaders Meet in Paris Over Ukraine Security
These developments coincide with a high-profile summit in Paris, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. Leaders from nearly 30 countries, along with NATO and EU officials, gathered to discuss strengthening support for Ukraine.
Key discussions centered on the potential deployment of European troops under the proposed “Coalition of the Willing” peace agreement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, addressing the summit, urged European unity in defending against Russian aggression. He emphasized the need for long-term security guarantees to safeguard Ukraine’s future.
