Russia is increasing the conscription age and mobilizing 70-year-olds to prevent a potential large-scale mobilization that may cause public opposition, according to an expert.

Russia is increasing the conscription age and mobilizing 70-year-olds to prevent a potential large-scale mobilization that may cause public opposition, according to an expert.

Last month, Russia passed a series of bills aimed at expanding the pool of men eligible for military service. These measures come as the country faces increasing manpower shortages due to its ongoing war in Ukraine. The Russian government hopes to address this issue without resorting to another full-scale mobilization.

The war in Ukraine, which has been ongoing for 17 months, has put a strain on Russia’s military resources. In an attempt to bolster its numbers, President Vladimir Putin announced the mobilization of 300,000 reservists last fall. However, this move resulted in tens of thousands of Russian men fleeing the country. Now, the government is seeking alternative ways to increase its military personnel without sparking civilian backlash or harming the economy.

One of the recently passed laws raises the maximum age for conscription from 27 to 30 years old. Previously, Russian men ages 18 to 27 were required to serve one year in the military, with conscriptions held twice a year. Starting in 2024, this call-up category will be extended by three years, significantly expanding the pool of eligible young men.

According to Simon Miles, an assistant professor at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy, this change allows Russia to pull in more individuals without taking away those who are producing valuable military and economic resources. The government hopes to strike a balance between increasing military personnel and maintaining overall productivity.

Additionally, the legislation includes measures to prevent conscripts from leaving Russia once they receive a draft notice. This is a response to the large number of Russians who fled the country after the previous mobilization. A law passed earlier this year imposes penalties on draft dodgers, such as suspended driver’s licenses and restrictions on buying real estate and receiving bank loans.

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Avoiding another large-scale mobilization is a key objective for Putin. Mobilizations have a tendency to galvanize the population and remind them of the war’s impact. Russian state media has tried to portray the conflict as something “over there” in Ukraine, distancing it from everyday life in Russia. However, as Miles notes, when thousands of people are conscripted and sent to fight, it becomes impossible to ignore the real consequences of the war.

Although Putin has promised that conscripts won’t be sent to the frontlines in Ukraine, recent reports suggest otherwise. Men who have been conscripted have been deployed to regions near Ukraine’s border and could potentially be called upon to sign wartime contracts. This raises concerns about the safety and well-being of these individuals.

The new conscription law is just one of several steps Russia has taken to address its personnel shortages. The maximum age for reservists who have already completed their compulsory service has been raised, with the highest-ranking officers now eligible for general mobilization up to the age of 70. Furthermore, fines for individuals who fail to report to an enlistment office after receiving a draft notice have been increased.

These measures allow Russia to continue conscripting individuals at a lower intensity level, avoiding backlash and negative media attention. By implementing these changes gradually, the government can maintain a sufficient military force without causing widespread discontent.

It is essential to note that Russian authorities have also mobilized nearly 60,000 residents in Russian-occupied Crimea since early 2022. This, coupled with reports of civilian arson attacks on registration and enlistment offices, highlights the growing discontent among the population. The war in Ukraine is not without consequences and is beginning to challenge Putin’s belief that it can be sustained indefinitely.

In conclusion, Russia’s recent bills expanding the pool of eligible conscripts are a response to the mounting manpower struggles caused by the war in Ukraine. The government hopes to address the issue without resorting to another large-scale mobilization. By broadening the age range for conscription, implementing stricter measures to prevent draft evasion, and increasing fines for non-compliance, Russia aims to strike a balance between military needs and economic productivity. However, these measures have not been without challenges, as discontent among the population grows and reports of conscripts being deployed near Ukraine’s border surface. It remains to be seen how Russia will navigate these issues moving forward.

• conscription
• mobilization
• Russia