Putin desperation clear as Russian leader makes largest military order in 14 years

 

Russia Announces Largest Military Conscription in 14 Years Amid Ukraine War

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the conscription of 160,000 citizens into military service—the highest number in over a decade—as tensions with the West escalate. The move follows growing discussions among European nations about reinstating conscription to counter potential threats from Russia.

The draft, targeting men aged 18 to 30, will take effect from April 1 to July 15. This decision comes despite warnings from experts about Russia’s deepening demographic crisis, exacerbated by heavy losses in the Ukraine war, which the Kremlin continues to label a "special military operation."

Putin has previously emphasized the need to expand Russia’s military strength to nearly 2.39 million personnel, including 1.5 million active-duty soldiers. Last year’s spring conscription saw 150,000 individuals drafted, according to Russian state media. To further bolster recruitment, Putin signed a law in 2023 offering debt relief for new soldiers deployed to Ukraine. Under this policy, recruits signing a one-year contract can have bad debts of up to $96,000 forgiven—a benefit that also applies to their spouses.

In September 2023, Putin also called for an additional 180,000 troops, signaling a sustained push to reinforce military ranks. Meanwhile, Ukraine has introduced its own financial incentives to attract more recruits amid its ongoing defense efforts.

*Ukraine’s Recruitment Challenges

Facing significant battlefield losses, Ukraine has struggled to maintain its military manpower. Last year, Kyiv lowered the conscription age from 27 to 25 but has still encountered difficulties in replenishing its forces. In February, the Ukrainian government rolled out a new financial scheme to encourage enlistment, offering a one-time signing bonus of 1 million hryvnias (about $24,000) and a monthly salary of 120,000 hryvnias (roughly $2,900).

However, some Ukrainians worry that further lowering the conscription age and removing young workers from the economy could harm the country’s already war-damaged economy. The prolonged conflict has strained both nations, with Russia and Ukraine adopting increasingly aggressive recruitment strategies to sustain their military operations.

As Europe watches closely, the latest conscription measures highlight the escalating demands of the war—and the growing toll on the populations involved.