About military service and military registration and registration offices
One of the core statements from Sergei Shoigu centered on gradually raising the enlistment age and refining the process of joining the armed forces. The Ministry of National Defense proposed a phased approach that would lift the conscription age from 18 to 21 and extend the service limit up to 30. Once citizens reach 27, they would no longer be called for mandatory service in Russia.
In addition, Shoigu emphasized the need to grow the number of personnel to strengthen national security. The goal highlighted by the minister was to increase the total size of the Armed Forces to 1.5 million by including 695,000 contract soldiers. This follows a recent expansion under President Vladimir Putin in August 2022, when the overall military manpower rose to 2.04 million and the number of direct service members climbed by 137,000 to 1.15 million.
The minister also advocated changes to the entry process for military service, proposing that qualified individuals be able to enter contracted service at any point from the moment of enlistment. He also called for accelerating the digital transformation of military registration and recruitment offices to streamline operations. — Ministry of National Defense
About the structure of the RF Armed Forces
Shoigu tied many remarks to a broader restructuring plan for the Russian armed forces. He announced the creation of two new military districts, Moscow and Leningrad, designed as strategic, specialized regional units in response to NATO’s modernization near Russia’s borders. The aim is to establish a capable troop group in the northwest to address evolving regional security dynamics. — Ministry of Defense
Additionally, the plan includes two new air assault divisions in the Air Force and five naval divisions formed from existing brigades in coastal formations. To coordinate these new formations, the West-2023 exercises were cited as a preparation milestone for next year. Shoigu stressed improvements in the overall structure and the heightened responsibility of the main commands for prewar readiness and employment, noting that the RF Armed Forces’ combat capabilities had risen by more than 13 percent in 2022.
About mobilization
Shoigu separately addressed the partial mobilization conducted from September 21 to November 1. He described it as a serious test and a marker of troop maturity. The aim was to increase both combat power and numerical strength to stabilize the situation, protect newly acquired territories, and support ongoing offensive actions. The mobilization was portrayed as a crucial gauge of Russian societal resilience and the readiness of its armed forces. The effort brought 300,000 reservists into active duty, while another 830,000 people in defense industries and other critical sectors were mobilized. Within six weeks, about 20,000 volunteers also presented themselves at military registration offices. — Ministry of Defense
About the special operation
While specific figures were not disclosed, officials stated that Ukrainian forces sustained notable losses during the special operation. It was noted that a substantial portion of early weapons and equipment had been depleted, with some of these assets subsequently reaching various regions through international supply chains. The campaign was described as supported by multiple countries, with significant foreign assistance continuing to shape the battlefield. There were cautions about the proliferation of weapons in other theaters if control over captured equipment is lost. NATO personnel and allied experts were asserted to be involved in the area, along with a large satellite network dedicated to operations in the region.
The focus remained on Russia’s ability to target military logistics and command structures, disrupt foreign defense supply chains, and degrade the military-industrial complex and related energy facilities. Doctors and medical teams in the conflict zone were credited with achieving record-low mortality rates in military hospitals, with rapid triage and evacuation contributing to improved outcomes. Over ten months, more than 250,000 military personnel reportedly gained combat experience, with 120 being honored as Heroes of Russia and a substantial number of state awards recognizing courage and selflessness. — Ministry of National Defense