Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the conscription of over 135,000 men by the end of 2025.
The conscription by Putin marks Russia’s largest conscription since 2016.
The move by Putin comes just days after Russia’s parliament passed a new bill that will allow the Kremlin to issue a year-round conscription, replacing its current seasonal spring and fall draft.
Men from the ages of 18-30 will be selected to the Russian armed forces, but according to the Kremlin, they will not be activated in the war in Ukraine.
Putin has signed a decree on the autumn draft, running from October 1 to December 31.
During this period, the Russian authorities plan to call up 135,000 people for compulsory military service.
Russia promises not to send them to the frontlines. pic.twitter.com/apxvqLDK0e
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) September 29, 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday ordered the conscription of 135,000 men by the end of 2025, the largest conscription drive in nine years.
During the autumn 2016 intake, Putin ordered the conscription of 152,000 men. In the three years since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it has drafted an average of 127,000 men every fall.
Russia’s spring 2025 draft called up 160,000 men, the highest since autumn 2011.
Russia holds biannual conscription drives, with men aged 18-30 eligible for one year of mandatory service.
Putin’s decree comes a week after Russia’s ambassador to France Alexey Meshkov noted that if NATO countries shoot down Russian airplanes that violate NATO airspace then a war will ensue.
Meshkov’s remarks came just days after President Trump during the United Nations General Assembly said he believes NATO members should shoot down Russian airplanes that violate NATO airspace.
WATCH:
REPORTER: “Do you think that NATO countries should shoot down Russian aircraft if they enter their airspace?”
TRUMP: “Yes, I do.” pic.twitter.com/QR2iQ6w7fW
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 23, 2025
In an interview on Sunday, Vice President JD Vance shared the U.S. is in talks on selling Tomahawk weapons to Ukraine.
Vance shared, “What we’re doing is asking the Europeans to buy that weaponry that shows some European skin in the game. I think that gets them really invested in both what’s happening in their own backyard.”
LOOK:
JD Vance confirms that the U.S. is in conversations right now about whether to let Ukraine buy some of its Tomahawk cruise missiles
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) September 29, 2025