Russia’s military has suffered significant losses in the Ukraine war. (File photo)
Russia’s parliament on Wednesday passed a law repealing the age limit for signing up to join the army. This is seen as a sign that Moscow is looking to recruit more troops for its military campaign in Ukraine.
The lower and upper chambers of parliament have backed the bill in all necessary readings, after which Russian President Vladimir Putin must sign it into law.
Responding to the development, Nick Reynolds of the London-based Royal United Services Institute said: Moscow Times“In the context of the Russian Armed Forces model, once you have caused damage, they are working close to their borders.”
“If the Russians want to make any serious progress now, it must be accompanied by slow, systematic operations with a significant investment in resources and manpower,” he was quoted as saying by the publication.
Under current law, only Russian citizens between the ages of 18 and 40 and foreign citizens between the ages of 18 and 30 have the right to sign their first military service agreement.
The latest development comes as Russia announced the deaths of 1,000 troops in its military campaign in Ukraine, which began on February 24, and promised to continue fighting as long as possible.
“We need to strengthen the armed forces to help the Ministry of Defense. Our supreme commander-in-chief (Putin) is doing everything he can to win the army and increase its effectiveness,” Speaker Bacheslav Volodin was quoted as saying in the State Duma. Lower house website.
The law refers to people who voluntarily join the armed forces, not young people who perform compulsory national service.
“Extremely professional specialists are needed to use high-precision weapons and to manage weapons and military equipment,” he said, adding that such experts could be between 40 and 45 years old, according to a note with the draft bill.
The decision by the Russian parliament comes a day after Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Moscow would continue “special military operations until all goals are achieved”, citing military action in Ukraine.
