02.04.2025 10:31
Russian President Vladimir Putin made the largest military call-up since 2011. Calling up 160,000 men aged 18 to 30, Putin stated that the number of active soldiers in the Russian army needs to be increased to 1.5 million.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has called up 160,000 men aged between 18 and 30 for military service. This number is the highest recorded as part of Russia's efforts to expand its military since 2011.
In recent months, Putin stated that the total size of the Russian army should be increased to approximately 2.39 million, with the number of active soldiers rising to 1.5 million.
RUSSIAN ARMY IS EXPANDING
According to a report by the British broadcaster BBC, there will be an increase of 180,000 personnel over the next three years. Russia recruits in the spring and autumn, but the recent call-up of 160,000 young men represents a higher number compared to the same period in 2024. In addition to recruiting twice a year, Russia also calls up many military contract soldiers and is gathering thousands of troops from North Korea.
BOTH MAIL AND MESSAGES WILL BE SENT
Since the beginning of last year, the pool of young men eligible to join the army has been expanded, raising the maximum age limit from 27 to 30. In addition to call-up notifications sent by mail to young men in Russia, notifications will also be sent through the state services website Gosuslugi. Since ordering the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Putin has tripled the size of the army.
NEW SOLDIERS WILL NOT BE SENT TO UKRAINE
Vice Admiral Vladimir Tsimlyansky stated that the new soldiers will not be sent to fight in Ukraine, which Russia refers to as its "special military operation." Ukraine reported that 45,000 people were left without electricity as a result of an attack on an electricity facility in the southern city of Kherson by Russia.
Although Russia has rejected a complete ceasefire mediated by the US with Ukraine, it claims that Ukraine has agreed to stop attacking energy facilities.