Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the conscription of 160,000 men aged 18-30 in the country’s most extensive military draft since 2011. The move is part of an ongoing expansion of Russia’s armed forces, despite ongoing conflict in Ukraine and increased military tensions with NATO.
The latest spring draft, running from April to July, surpasses the 2024 intake by 10,000 and aligns with Putin’s goal of increasing Russia’s overall military strength to nearly 2.39 million personnel. This includes raising the number of active servicemen to 1.5 million—an increase of 180,000 over three years.
Vice Admiral Vladimir Tsimlyansky stated that the new conscripts would not be deployed to Ukraine. However, reports suggest that some have been killed in combat, particularly in Russia’s border regions. In the early months of the full-scale war, conscripts were also sent to Ukraine despite official assurances to the contrary.
Moscow’s recruitment drive has intensified, not only through mandatory drafts but also by hiring contract soldiers and allegedly enlisting thousands of troops from North Korea. Since last year, the age limit for conscription has been raised from 27 to 30, significantly expanding the draft pool.
Call-up notices are being sent via mail and Russia’s state services website, Gosuslugi, ensuring broad and systematic enlistment.
Despite efforts by the U.S. to broker a ceasefire, fighting in Ukraine remains intense. On Tuesday, a Russian attack on a power station in the southern city of Kherson left 45,000 people without electricity. Meanwhile, Moscow claimed to have captured the village of Rozlyiv in the eastern Donetsk region.
Russia’s military buildup is widely seen as a response to its heavy battlefield losses. Independent reports from the BBC and Russian investigative outlet Mediazona have verified over 100,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine, with estimates suggesting the true number could be twice as high.
Russia’s growing military force comes amid NATO’s continued expansion, which Moscow views as a direct security threat. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Finland and Sweden have joined the alliance, with Finland now sharing a 1,343 km (834-mile) border with Russia.
In response to perceived Russian aggression, Finland announced on Tuesday that it would withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, which bans anti-personnel mines. The country joins Poland and the Baltic states in resuming the use of such weapons as a defensive measure. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo reassured citizens that the decision was based on military advice and that there was no immediate threat to Finland.
Additionally, Helsinki has pledged to increase defense spending to 3% of its GDP, up from 2.4% last year, reflecting a broader regional trend of military fortification.
Putin has expanded Russia’s military three times since the Ukraine invasion, linking the latest increase to “growing threats” from both NATO’s expansion and the prolonged conflict in Ukraine. Moscow’s defense ministry has emphasized that bolstering troop numbers is essential to national security.
About the author
New York Mayor Eric Adams to Run as Independent After Corruption Case Dismissed
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced Thursday he will run for reelection as an independent, bypassing the Democratic primary just one day after a federal judge permanently dismissed corruption charges against him. "I have always put New York's people before politics and party — and I always will. I am running for mayor in the general election because our city needs independent leadership that understands working people," Adams stated in a Thursday morning post on X. The announcement follows Wednesday's dismissal of bribery and wire fraud charges against Adams. He had been indicted in September after prosecutors alleged he received over $100,000 worth of plane tickets and luxury hotel stays from Turkish nationals during his nearly decade-long service in local government. U.S. District Judge Dale Ho wrote in a 78-page order: "To the extent that the government may be […]
Hungary Announces Withdrawal from International Criminal Court During Netanyahu Visit
Hungary's government has declared its intention to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC). A senior official in Prime Minister Viktor Orban's administration announced the decision shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces an ICC arrest warrant, arrived in Hungary for a state visit. Orban had extended an invitation to Netanyahu immediately after the warrant was issued last November, stating the ruling would have "no effect" in Hungary. In November, ICC judges determined there were "reasonable grounds" that Netanyahu bore "criminal responsibility" for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Israel-Hamas conflict. Netanyahu has denounced the ICC's decision as "antisemitic." The ICC, a global judicial body, has jurisdiction to prosecute individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. Hungary, a founding ICC member among 125 member states, will become the first European Union nation […]
Devastating January Wildfires Claim 30th Victim as LA Communities Struggle to Rebuild
Death toll in Los Angeles wildfires reaches 30 with newly confirmed fatality in Altadena A new death connected to January's wildfires has been confirmed, bringing the total death toll to 30, according to the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner's office on Wednesday. The latest fatality was linked to the Eaton Fire after remains were discovered on the 900 block of Boston Street in Altadena. The medical examiner's office referred to the victim as "unidentified doe No. 203." With this additional death, the Eaton Fire has now claimed 18 lives, while the Palisades Fire resulted in 12 fatalities. The wildfires devastated the region, forcing thousands of residents from their homes in Altadena and Pacific Palisades. Together, the fires consumed more than 37,000 acres. Both communities continue their rebuilding efforts following the destruction. Investigators are still working to determine […]
Global Markets Tumble as Trump Unveils Sweeping New Tariffs
World stocks, the dollar, and oil prices plummeted Thursday as Donald Trump's dramatic new U.S. trade tariffs sparked widespread fears of a global recession, sending investors rushing toward safe-haven bonds and the Japanese yen. The announcement of a baseline 10% tariff on imported goods plus additional "reciprocal" tariffs on numerous countries that Trump claimed maintained unfair trade barriers left traders visibly shaken by their severity. In Europe, where the 27-country EU bloc now faces a 20% reciprocal levy, markets fell between 1.3% and 2% as Brussels and other capitals expressed outrage. Wall Street futures dropped 3% ahead of what was anticipated to be a volatile U.S. market opening later. The dollar's 2% decline was on track to be its worst daily performance since November 2022. Asian markets, targeted by some of the harshest tariffs, saw Tokyo drop 2.7%, heading toward […]
Trump Announces Sweeping New Tariffs in Major Trade Policy Shift
U.S. President Donald Trump was set to implement broad new reciprocal tariffs on global trading partners on Wednesday, marking a significant departure from decades of rules-based trade policies. This move risks increasing costs for consumers and will likely trigger retaliatory measures from affected countries. Final details of the tariff plans, which Trump has characterized as America's "Liberation Day," were still being finalized ahead of a White House Rose Garden announcement scheduled for 4 p.m. Eastern Time (2000 GMT). The new duties will take effect immediately following Trump's announcement, while a separate 25% global tariff on auto imports is scheduled to begin on April 3. Trump has framed his reciprocal tariff strategy as an effort to equalize generally lower U.S. tariff rates with those charged by other countries and to counter non-tariff barriers that disadvantage American exports. However, the specific structure […]
NNPC Welcomes New Leadership as Ojulari Takes Helm and Board Changes
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has officially welcomed Mr. Bayo Ojulari's appointment as the new Group Chief Executive Officer, along with a reconstituted board of directors appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In a statement released on Wednesday by Olufemi O. Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC expressed appreciation to the outgoing GCEO, Mele Kyari, and former board members for their service to both the company and the nation. "Mr. Kyari's leadership and tireless efforts have left an indelible mark on NNPC Ltd., and we are sincerely grateful for his outstanding contributions," the statement noted. The energy company also conveyed best wishes to Kyari and the departing board members, recognizing their dedication and expressing hope for their continued success in their future endeavors.
Related
New York Mayor Eric Adams to Run as Independent After Corruption Case Dismissed
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced Thursday he will run for reelection as an independent, bypassing the Democratic primary just one day after a federal judge permanently dismissed corruption charges against him. "I have always put New York's people before politics and party — and I always will. I am running for mayor in the general election because our city needs independent leadership that understands working people," Adams stated in a Thursday morning post on X. The announcement follows Wednesday's dismissal of bribery and wire fraud charges against Adams. He had been indicted in September after prosecutors alleged he received over $100,000 worth of plane tickets and luxury hotel stays from Turkish nationals during his nearly decade-long service in local government. U.S. District Judge Dale Ho wrote in a 78-page order: "To the extent that the government may be […]
Hungary Announces Withdrawal from International Criminal Court During Netanyahu Visit
Hungary's government has declared its intention to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC). A senior official in Prime Minister Viktor Orban's administration announced the decision shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces an ICC arrest warrant, arrived in Hungary for a state visit. Orban had extended an invitation to Netanyahu immediately after the warrant was issued last November, stating the ruling would have "no effect" in Hungary. In November, ICC judges determined there were "reasonable grounds" that Netanyahu bore "criminal responsibility" for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Israel-Hamas conflict. Netanyahu has denounced the ICC's decision as "antisemitic." The ICC, a global judicial body, has jurisdiction to prosecute individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. Hungary, a founding ICC member among 125 member states, will become the first European Union nation […]
Devastating January Wildfires Claim 30th Victim as LA Communities Struggle to Rebuild
Death toll in Los Angeles wildfires reaches 30 with newly confirmed fatality in Altadena A new death connected to January's wildfires has been confirmed, bringing the total death toll to 30, according to the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner's office on Wednesday. The latest fatality was linked to the Eaton Fire after remains were discovered on the 900 block of Boston Street in Altadena. The medical examiner's office referred to the victim as "unidentified doe No. 203." With this additional death, the Eaton Fire has now claimed 18 lives, while the Palisades Fire resulted in 12 fatalities. The wildfires devastated the region, forcing thousands of residents from their homes in Altadena and Pacific Palisades. Together, the fires consumed more than 37,000 acres. Both communities continue their rebuilding efforts following the destruction. Investigators are still working to determine […]
Global Markets Tumble as Trump Unveils Sweeping New Tariffs
World stocks, the dollar, and oil prices plummeted Thursday as Donald Trump's dramatic new U.S. trade tariffs sparked widespread fears of a global recession, sending investors rushing toward safe-haven bonds and the Japanese yen. The announcement of a baseline 10% tariff on imported goods plus additional "reciprocal" tariffs on numerous countries that Trump claimed maintained unfair trade barriers left traders visibly shaken by their severity. In Europe, where the 27-country EU bloc now faces a 20% reciprocal levy, markets fell between 1.3% and 2% as Brussels and other capitals expressed outrage. Wall Street futures dropped 3% ahead of what was anticipated to be a volatile U.S. market opening later. The dollar's 2% decline was on track to be its worst daily performance since November 2022. Asian markets, targeted by some of the harshest tariffs, saw Tokyo drop 2.7%, heading toward […]
Hungary Quits Global Court Hours Before Netanyahu Visit Defying Arrest Warrant
Hungary's government has announced its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) just before Prime Minister Viktor Orban welcomed his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces an ICC arrest warrant. "Hungary exits the International Criminal Court. The government will initiate the withdrawal procedure on Thursday, in accordance with the constitutional and international legal framework," Orban's chief of staff, Gergely Gulyas, posted on Facebook on Thursday. Orban had previously suggested Hungary might leave the ICC after United States President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on the court's prosecutor, Karim Khan, in February. "It's time for Hungary to review what we're doing in an international organisation that is under US sanctions," Orban stated on X at that time. The withdrawal legislation is expected to pass easily through Hungary's parliament, which is controlled by Orban's Fidesz party. The ICC has not yet responded to […]
Trump Tariff Bombshell Triggers Global Market Panic As Gold Hits Record High
Global stock markets tumbled Thursday as investors reacted to President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff announcements, with the UK's FTSE 100 dropping 1.5% alongside other declining European markets, following earlier falls across Asia. While stocks retreated, gold prices reached a record high of $3,167.57 per ounce as investors sought safety amid growing economic uncertainty. Traders expressed concern that Trump's tariffs could fuel inflation and hamper global growth. Asian markets fell sharply following Trump's announcement, with Japan's Nikkei closing down nearly 3% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng dropping 1.5%. European indexes followed suit, with Germany's Dax falling 2.2% and France's Cac 40 declining 2.5%. US markets were also projected to open significantly lower, with futures indicating a 3% drop for the S&P 500 and 2.4% for the Dow Jones. The US government's decision to impose a 10% baseline tariff plus higher duties […]
Be the first to leave a comment