Russia increases conscription age

Changes in the Russian army conscription system came into force on January 1, 2024.

The maximum age for conscription for compulsory military service (one year) was increased from 27 to 30 years old, Gazeta.ru reports.

The corresponding law was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in August 2023. Thus, men from 18 to 30 years old are drafted for military service since January 1, 2024.

Russian Deputy Defence Minister Nikolai Pankov said that citizens, who turned 27 years old in 2023, will be sent to the reserves and will not be drafted for military service in 2024.

A presidential decree on increasing the age limit for granting a deferment from military service for IT specialists to 30 years old also came into force on January 1, 2024.

The maximum number of Russian servicemen was increased by 170,000 - up to 1,320,000 servicemen per the presidential decree dated November 29, 2023.

The Russian Defence Ministry stated on December 1, 2023, that there are no plans to draft more Russians for compulsory military service due to the increase in the number of servicemen.