Putin Launches Largest Russian Military Call-Up in Over a Decade

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By Staff Writer with Agencies

Moscow, Russia – In a significant expansion of military forces, Russian President Vladimir Putin has initiated the country’s largest military draft since 2011, calling up 160,000 men aged 18-30 for one year of service. This decision comes amid ongoing tensions with Ukraine and growing geopolitical frictions with NATO.

The spring draft, set to take place between April and July, follows Putin’s announcement that Russia aims to expand its armed forces to nearly 2.39 million personnel, with 1.5 million active servicemen by 2026. The latest increase is part of a broader effort to bolster Russia’s military following heavy troop losses in Ukraine.

Conscripts and the War in Ukraine

Vice Admiral Vladimir Tsimlyansky, a senior military official, has assured that new conscripts will not be sent to the front lines in Ukraine, which the Kremlin continues to refer to as a “special military operation.” However, reports have surfaced of conscripts being deployed in border regions and even suffering casualties during combat. In the early months of the war, some were sent to fight in Ukraine despite initial denials from Russian authorities.

Beyond the routine biannual draft, Russia has been aggressively recruiting contract soldiers and reportedly sourcing additional troops from North Korea. These efforts aim to replenish forces after extensive battlefield losses, with over 100,000 Russian troops verified as killed in Ukraine, according to reports by the BBC and Mediazona.

Western Response and NATO Expansion

As Russia strengthens its military, NATO continues to reinforce its eastern flank. Finland and Sweden have joined the alliance in direct response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finland, which shares a 1,343 km (834 miles) border with Russia, has recently announced its withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention, signaling an intention to redeploy anti-personnel mines.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo defended the decision, stating that the measure was taken based on military advice and aimed at national security. Other NATO members, including Poland and the Baltic states, have also reconsidered their stance on landmine deployment due to concerns about Russian aggression.

Additionally, Finland has announced a defense budget increase to 3% of its GDP, up from 2.4% in 2023, highlighting the growing sense of urgency in fortifying its defenses.

Domestic Impact and Conscription Changes

The Russian government has increased the pool of eligible conscripts by raising the maximum draft age from 27 to 30. Alongside traditional postal notifications, conscription orders will now also be sent digitally through the state services portal Gosuslugi.

The move signals Russia’s broader strategic commitment to a prolonged conflict. Putin has ordered multiple military expansions since launching the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In December 2023, the Russian Defense Ministry cited “growing threats” from NATO’s expansion and the ongoing war as justification for further troop increases.

Ongoing Conflict and Ceasefire Efforts

Despite international calls for peace, including U.S.-led efforts to broker a ceasefire, the violence in Ukraine shows no signs of abating. On Tuesday, Ukraine reported a Russian attack on a power facility in the southern city of Kherson, leaving 45,000 residents without electricity. Meanwhile, Russian forces claimed to have captured the village of Rozlyiv in the Donetsk region.

As both sides continue to escalate their military operations, the conflict remains at a dangerous impasse. Putin’s latest conscription push underscores Russia’s commitment to sustaining its military campaign despite mounting economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation.

With NATO strengthening its defenses and Ukraine continuing to resist Russian advances, the geopolitical landscape remains highly volatile, raising concerns of further escalation in the months ahead.