Russia has ordered the largest increase in conscription since the Ukraine war began as a further 160,000 servicemen are called up to the frontline.
The planned draft size has increased from 150,000 in 2024 and 134,500 in 2022, when Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.
It comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered Russia to boost the size of its army to 1.5 million active servicemen – an increase of some 180,000 troops over three years.
This is despite growing efforts from the United States to bring forward a ceasefire to the three-year-old conflict with Putin being accused of delaying the peace process.
Despite the Kremlin’s claim that those called-up are not linked to the war in Ukraine, Kyiv has said throughout the conflict that it has taken Russian conscripts captive and Putin previously admitted that some had been sent to fight by mistake.
Russian men are eligible to be drafted for mandatory military service through bi-annual call-ups.
Apart from its conscription drives, Russia has recruited hundreds of thousands of men for its offensive on Ukraine as paid contract soldiers, offering high salaries and massive sign-up bonuses.
Russia traditionally holds waves of conscription in spring and autumn, with men aged 18-30 eligible to be called up.