President Vladimir Putin has initiated one of the largest military conscriptions drives in recent years, calling up 160,000 men to join the Russian army. This decision comes at a crucial time in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as Moscow intensifies its efforts on the frontlines.
Putin has signed a decree to authorize a new twice-yearly conscription cycle, which commenced on April 1 and will run until July 15.
According to Russian state media outlet TASS, this recruitment cycle includes 10,000 more recruits than last year and is 15,000 higher than in the same period three years ago.
This expansion is part of Putin’s broader military buildup, aiming to increase Russia’s armed forces from 1 million soldiers in 2022 to approximately 1.5 million today.
The timing of this conscription effort is particularly significant. Russia has intensified its ground offensive in eastern Ukraine, especially around Donetsk, while Ukrainian forces continue to mount strong resistance.
Additionally, Moscow has sought support from North Korean reinforcements, with recent reports indicating that 3,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed to bolster Russia’s military efforts.
While Russian law officially prohibits sending conscripts to combat zones without adequate training, numerous reports suggest that many are pressured or misled into signing contracts that lead to deployment in Ukraine.
Others became embroiled in the conflict last year when Ukraine launched a surprise counteroffensive in Russia’s Kursk region.
Despite the escalating war, diplomatic negotiations are ongoing. Senior Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev is scheduled to visit Washington, D.C., this week for high-level discussions with Trump administration official Steve Witkoff.
This marks the first visit of a senior Russian diplomat to the U.S. since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly called for Russia to agree to an immediate ceasefire, but Putin has dismissed the request, asserting that any truce would need to be contingent on the lifting of U.S. sanctions. This latest action by Moscow indicates that Russia is not prepared to retreat but is instead increasing its military capabilities for forthcoming battles.
As talks continue, the world is closely monitoring whether diplomacy or continued warfare will ultimately dictate the future of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
