In Moscow, the spring draft is shaping up to involve a substantial share of the population. Officials indicate that more than 5,000 Muscovites will be summoned for military service during the 2023 spring conscription campaign, a figure highlighted by the capital’s military commissar, Colonel Maksim Loktev, as reported by TASS. The estimate reflects a carefully calibrated plan that aligns with the directives issued by the Western Military District headquarters, emphasizing an organized, city-wide mobilization effort rather than a broad, indiscriminate call-up.
The city administration has outlined that the recruitment task is distributed among about 150 draft commissions stationed throughout Moscow. This network is designed to process and select eligible candidates efficiently while ensuring transparency and adherence to the established timelines. The leadership stressed that the mobilization is purposefully limited to Russian military units and does not extend to sending conscripts to areas outside the country where ongoing conflicts or political situations require careful consideration of safety and legality.
Ahead of the first wave, several high-ranking officials have explained the rollout. Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Andrei Biryukov, indicated that the initial batch of conscripts would begin arriving at training facilities on April 20. The plan envisions that roughly one third of the draftees will be sent to training units and corresponding military formations, where they will receive instruction on modern equipment and acquire the technical specialties demanded by contemporary armed forces. This preparation phase is designed to ensure that new service members attain a baseline competency rapidly, while also allowing for subsequent specialization based on the needs of different units.
Russia’s broader conscription period is set to run from April 1 to July 15, with the total number of drafted individuals anticipated to reach 147,000 nationwide. The Moscow segment plays a crucial role in meeting these national targets, balancing the immediate needs of defense readiness with the welfare and rights of the young people called to serve. Local authorities have reiterated that the process must be conducted with fairness and clarity, ensuring that each candidate understands the service terms and the opportunities available during and after conscription. This approach reflects a broader commitment to orderly mobilization while maintaining public confidence in the administration of conscription policies.