Overview

• A Kremlin decree schedules the conscription of 135,000 men aged 18 to 30 in stages from October 1 through December 31, 2025.
• The order includes provisions to discharge those who have completed their mandatory service at the end of their term.
• Russian authorities say new conscripts will serve inside the country rather than in Ukraine, though past cases reported by Kyiv have fueled doubts.
• International analysts view the call-up as bolstering Russia’s replacement and readiness capacity during the protracted conflict.
• Russia runs two draft cycles each year for one year of service, and after the 2024 age-limit increase, recent intakes totaled 160,000 in spring 2025 and 133,000 in autumn 2024.