Russia Extends Age Limit For Draft Amid Ongoing War in Ukraine

Russia Extends Age Limit For Draft , Amid Ongoing War in Ukraine.

On July 25, the lower house of Russia's parliament approved a bill to extend the upper age limit for the country's compulsory military draft.

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ABC reports that the decision to raise the age from 27 to 30 comes amid an effort to bolster the military amid Russia's war with Ukraine.

In order to become a law, the bill still needs to be approved by the upper house of the parliament and President Vladimir Putin.

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In order to become a law, the bill still needs to be approved by the upper house of the parliament and President Vladimir Putin.

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The bill is an effort to expand the ranks of the Russian army as fighting in Ukraine has now been ongoing for 18 months.

While the bill initially would have also raised the lower age for the draft from 18 to 21, lawmakers endorsed the Defense Minister's request to set the draft at 18-30.

ABC reports that the new draft requirements would be put into place in 2024.

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According to Russian authorities, draftees are not deployed to Ukraine, as forces on the front are comprised of volunteers and reservists.

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However, ABC reports that Russian media outlets have shown the military attempting to coerce draftees into joining the war effort as volunteers.

The push to bolster the military comes as Ukraine continues a counteroffensive along parts of the over 625-mile-long front.

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Russia's current draft, in place for all Russian men between the ages of 18 and 27, grants deferments to students, people with chronic illnesses and others.