“Although the Russian authorities claim that conscripts are not sent to the combat zone, once in service, they are forced to sign contracts ‘voluntarily’ and end up on the front line. Thus, conscription has become one of the Kremlin’s tools to compensate for heavy losses at the front … This conscription campaign may also indicate that, despite official statements about peace, Russia actually seeks to prolong the war.”
NEWSWEEK
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the conscription of 160,000 men into the army, marking the largest draft initiative in years, even as ceasefire talks with Ukraine continue under U.S. mediation. The timing and scale of the draft have raised concerns, with Ukraine accusing Russia of using negotiations as a delay tactic while reinforcing its military presence in key regions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia is preparing for new offensives, stating, “They are dragging out negotiations and trying to drag the U.S. into endless, meaningless discussions about fake conditions to buy time.”
The conscription, effective from April 1 to July 15, targets Russian citizens aged 18 to 30 and follows years of mounting military losses. Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation claims conscripts are often coerced into signing contracts that place them on the front lines. Despite official Russian denials, the move suggests an escalation of the conflict rather than de-escalation. With the U.S. considering secondary tariffs on Russian oil, the impact of Putin’s order on peace negotiations remains uncertain.
