Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, signed a new decree on Friday, ordering 160,000 Russians to join the military. This call-up will take place between April and July. It applies to all men aged 18 to 30 who are eligible for conscription. The decree also includes the discharge of current soldiers whose service is ending. This is part of Russia’s biannual conscription plan, with one round in the spring and another in the fall each year.
Spring Conscription Starts
This is the start of Russia’s spring conscription campaign. Officials call up men twice a year—once in the spring and again in the autumn. Last year, in the fall, 133,000 recruits were drafted into the military. The conscripts serve for one year. This spring, 160,000 new soldiers will join Russia’s military forces.
In January last year, Putin raised the upper age limit for conscription from 27 to 30. This change allowed more men to be drafted into the army. As the war in Ukraine continues, this decision helps meet Russia’s growing need for soldiers.
Russia’s Growing Military Force
Reports say that Russia now has nearly 2.4 million soldiers in total. About 1.5 million are serving in active-duty roles. This is part of Russia’s effort to keep up with its military needs during the war in Ukraine. Russian military officials say the recruitment drives are necessary to meet strategic goals and strengthen the country’s defense.
High Casualties on the Battlefield
Despite Russia’s large conscription drives, the country has faced heavy losses on the battlefield. Both the UK Ministry of Defence and Ukraine’s military estimate that Russia has suffered over 768,000 casualties since the war began. These losses include those killed, wounded, captured, or missing.
The deadliest days for Russian forces came in November and December of last year. In November, 2,030 Russian soldiers were reported killed in one day. This day marked the highest daily loss since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Ukraine Also Suffering Heavy Losses
On the Ukrainian side, the country has also faced tremendous losses. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers have died since the war began. This is a heavy toll, as the country continues to fight to defend its land from the Russian invasion.
Both nations are facing massive casualties as the war goes on. These losses are devastating for families and communities on both sides. The conflict has already caused unspeakable suffering for the people of Ukraine and Russia.
Russia’s Military Expansion: Why It Matters
Putin’s decision to call up more soldiers shows how serious the situation is for Russia. The country is increasing its military strength to keep up with the war’s demands. However, the war’s human cost has been immense. Both Russia and Ukraine are losing many soldiers in combat. Many question how long Russia can sustain such a high rate of recruitment while continuing to face such devastating losses.
In Russia, the government argues that these recruitment efforts are necessary to protect the country. But critics say that the war is causing unnecessary suffering for everyone involved.
The War’s Ongoing Toll
The conflict has continued longer than many expected. Both Russia and Ukraine continue to experience huge losses, with no end in sight. The death toll is rising, and the war has caused untold economic and emotional pain for families in both countries.
It’s clear that the war is taking a severe toll on both nations. Russia continues to push for more soldiers to fight, while Ukraine is also suffering heavy losses. As the conflict drags on, the human cost of the war will only grow.
What’s Next?
With more soldiers being drafted, both Russia and Ukraine are likely to face more difficult months ahead. The war has shown no signs of slowing down, and the military efforts on both sides continue to ramp up. The international community remains concerned about the war’s impact on civilians and the wider world.
The question remains: how long can both nations continue this brutal fight? The people of Russia and Ukraine are enduring extreme hardship as their countries continue their military campaigns.