Putin Quietly Looking To Change Conscription Rules To Boost Depleted Russian Army, UK Says

Russian President Vladimir Putin has changed conscription rules in Russia again.The Kremlin is quietly altering conscription rules in Russia as the Ukraine war continues to deplete the size of its army, according to the UK.Russia has endured more than a million casualties since Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine back in February 2022, but he is still unwilling to end the war.To continue with his grinding offensive, he has now initiated a military conscription order for 135,000 men, according to the latest update from the UK’s Ministry of Defence.The MoD said adult men aged between 18 and 30 will be plucked from across Russia and the occupied territories of Ukraine between October 1 and December 31.While Russian conscription cycles normally occur twice a year – in autumn and spring – the Russian Duma passed the first reading of a bill at the end of September which would allow conscription to occur throughout the year.“This will likely provide a continuous flow of conscripts for the Russian army,” the UK intelligence officials said, adding: “Whilst this will allow the pre-draft processes to be distributed throughout the year, it is a realistic possibility that this change will also desensitise the population to the process.”Putin faced intense pushback in the past when he mobilised 300,000 reservists in September 2022.It triggered protests across the country and significant emigration as Russians who were reluctant to serve fled.But increasing censorship of Russian dissenters has enabled Putin to put increasing pressure of his beleaguered forces.In April this year, he called up 160,000 men, the highest number of conscripts since 2011, intending to expand the overall Russian military to almost 2.39 million.He is now trying to call troops up in much smaller groups – in September, he summoned for 135,000 men to serve – but this new measure from the Duma would counteract that, with new soldiers being conscripted in constantly.Conscripts are not usually sent to fight in Ukraine, but they do guard Russian borders and secure military sites so as to free up contract soldiers from the front.As the MoD explained: “Conscripts were highly likely involved in fighting in Russia’s Kursk oblast following Ukraine’s incursion into the region in August 2024 with 250 reportedly captured as prisoners of war.”Conscripts are obliged to work in the army and stay in Russia. The UK officials said: “Potential conscripts are not allowed to leave the country one week after digital registration is initiated. “Failure to report within 20 days of the summons results in various penalties and a 30,000 rouble fine (£268).”Putin currently holds around a fifth of Ukraine’s sovereign territory.Despite growing pressure from Donald Trump, the Russian president is refusing to give up on his land grab unless Ukraine is fully de-militarised – and he gets to keep some of its occupied land.The US has finally U-turned on Russia as a result and there are concerns in the Kremlin that Trump may allow Ukraine to use American long-range missiles.Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 06 October 2025.Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/tcIwDmTysn#StandWithUkrainepic.twitter.com/WS9heL0zfF— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) October 6, 2025Related...Putin Hits Back At Trump's New Criticisms Of Russia With A Classic Playground InsultPutin Is Conducting Yet Another Election Interference Campaign, UK Says'Deeply Mistaken': Putin's Allies Jump Furiously To His Defence After Trump's U-Turn On Russia

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