Russian Armed Forces Increase Maximum Draft Age
Starting from January 1, 2024, a new law will come into effect in Russia, raising the upper limit for conscription into the armed forces. Citizens will now be required to serve in the military from the age of 18 to 30, instead of the previous age range of 18 to 27, according to lawyer Alexander Peredruk in an interview with “Lenta.ru”.
The law regarding the increase in the draft age is available on the official portal of legal acts. The increase in the draft age will be implemented simultaneously, without any phased changes. Peredruk explained that citizens who have not yet turned 27 before January 1, 2024, will be offered the opportunity to serve until they reach the age of 30. Therefore, starting from the age of 29, they will have their last year when they can be called up.
Russian citizens who have already reached the age of 27 before the law comes into effect will not be drafted and will automatically be placed in the reserve. The new rules only apply to those who will turn 27 in 2024.
However, according to Peredruk, those who reach the age of 27 before the law comes into effect will have the option to return from the reserve and serve by voluntary enlistment. This applies to individuals who were placed in the reserve but did not serve without legitimate reasons. Such citizens will receive the corresponding certificate from the draft board, but not a military ID, which deprives them of the opportunity to enter into public civil service. To serve by voluntary enlistment, they will need to submit an application.
Additionally, Russians under the age of 30 who received a military ID due to health conditions that prevent them from serving can also choose to serve by providing documents showing their recovery.
According to Peredruk’s opinion, increasing the draft age will lead to an increase in the number of potential conscripts in the country. This means that the state will have more options to choose from, including those who aspire to engage in scientific activities. Peredruk warned that individuals who have completed postgraduate studies but failed to defend their thesis and obtain an academic degree may be called up. However, the exact number of conscripts is determined each time by the President’s decree, the lawyer added.
Earlier, Putin signed the law on increasing the draft age.
