Russia moves toward year-round military conscription

The State Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament, has passed a bill in its second reading that would introduce year-round conscription into the armed forces starting January 1, 2026.

Under the proposed changes, citizens who are not part of the military reserves could be drafted into service at any point throughout the calendar year, from January to December, based on a presidential decree, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

Currently conscription occurs in two annual waves — from April 1 to July 15, and from October 1 to December 31.

Similarly, earlier, the Russian government has also approved new measures allowing for the deployment of reservists in military operations conducted outside of Russia. 

By Sabina Mammadli