Russia Conscripting 1.6 Lakh Youths As Ukraine War Enters A Crucial Phase

One of the largest rounds of conscription to Russia’s military for several years is underway, as President Vladimir Putin pushes ahead with an expansion of the country’s military at a crucial moment in the war in Ukraine.

Putin signed a decree authorizing the latest phase of the country’s twice-yearly conscription effort, with the new window beginning on Tuesday and running until July 15.

It will see 160,000 men between 18 and 30 join Russia’s armed forces—an increase of 10,000 on last year’s spring drive, and a rise of more than 15,000 compared to three years ago, according to Russian state media outlet TASS.

The conscription push is not new, and TASS reported that the rise is caused by Putin’s efforts to increase the size of Russia’s military as a whole; the country had one million military personnel three years ago, but now has around 1.5 million.

But the new push also comes at a vital crossroads in Russia’s war in Ukraine. Moscow has been relying on assistance from North Korean soldiers to push back Kyiv’s advances in the Kursk region of Russia, and has been steadily advancing on the ground in eastern Ukraine, while the US attempts to broker talks that would end the conflict.