Russia resumed on Friday the mobilization of young men for compulsory military service of one year, in the midst of armed conflict in Ukraine, Moscow ensuring however that the conscripts will not be sent to the front.
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Every year, tens of thousands of Russians between the ages of 18 and 27 are drafted into the army for two call-up periods, one in the spring/summer and the other in the fall.
For this spring 2022 appeal, President Vladimir Putin has set a goal of sending 134,500 young people to military service, according to a decree issued by the Kremlin. The first affections in units should occur at the end of May.
Many Russians, however, manage to escape military service by paying bribes or obtaining medical exemptions or through their studies.
This mobilization comes in full offensive in Ukraine.
On March 9, the Ministry of Defense admitted that conscripts were fighting in Ukraine and that some had been taken prisoner. But the Russian army assured that these had been sent to the front by mistake and since repatriated.
The Kremlin claims that, according to the instructions of Vladimir Putin, only professional soldiers and officers, having signed a contract, are currently fighting in Ukraine.
But several independent Russian media reported cases of conscripts having been coerced or very strongly encouraged to sign a contract and then sent to the Ukrainian front.
On March 29, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reaffirmed that no conscripts will be sent to “hot zones”, adding that those whose military service ends this spring will become reservists and be sent home.