Putin Orders Massive Military Call-Up Amidst Ukraine War
Russia’s spring military call-up, totaling 160,000 men aged 18-30, marks the largest conscription since 2011, reflecting a broader military expansion plan to nearly 2.39 million personnel. This increase, exceeding previous spring drafts by 10,000, comes despite ongoing attempts at a ceasefire and reports of conscripts’ deaths in Ukraine. The call-up is attributed to escalating threats stemming from the war in Ukraine and NATO expansion. While officially stated to not participate in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, past instances show that conscripts have been used to replace losses.
John Q. Hosedrinker