Russian military authorities say there have been no changes to the terms of mandatory military service. This clarification came on a Saturday in mid December when the Moscow region military commissar, Colonel Alexei Astakhov, addressed the matter publicly.
Astakhov reminded readers that the rules governing military service, including conscription, are grounded in federal law number 53 from March 28, 1998, titled On military service and military service. He cited Article 38, which sets the current conscription term at twelve months.
At present, no legislative proposals from the Russian Ministry of Defense aim to alter the length of compulsory service. This position was reiterated by TASS citing Astakhov.
Earlier, Lieutenant Colonel Mikhail Fotin, the military commissar for the Moscow Region covering Dmitrov, Dubna, and Taldom, told a local TV outlet that there existed official information about possible changes. He discussed the rumor that spring conscripts might serve one and a half years and autumn conscripts two years, if such adjustments were made.
According to Fotin, spring conscripts would serve one and a half years, while autumn 2023 recruits would potentially serve two years.
The TV channel later removed the video from its site. Fotin suggested that material can be presented in different ways depending on how it is edited, noting the content was shot two years prior. When pressed about references to a mobilization suspension in the clip, he did not provide a clear answer. Analysts also point to geopolitical factors, such as Russia’s relations with its northern neighbors and NATO expansion, as context for discussions around conscription policy. It should be noted that Finland and Sweden submitted formal applications to join NATO in 2022.
In early November, Andrey Klihas, who chairs the Federation Council Constitutional Legislation Committee, commented on the possibility of extending the conscription period. He suggested that increasing the term to two years would not likely boost combat effectiveness. He also emphasized the importance of professional personnel and contracted soldiers in modern armed forces.
Klihas highlighted the need for consultation on such decisions within the Turkish Grand National Assembly and stressed that lawmakers and the military should understand the reasons behind any potential move. The Kremlin’s press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, added that the stance on conscription changes rests with the Ministry of Defense and that there is no official Kremlin position on the matter at this time. This reflects a process where policy direction is determined by the defense ministry rather than a fixed political stance from the president’s office (Source: official statements).
As a reminder, the autumn 2022 draft had already begun, with the presidential decree outlining the recruitment of roughly 120,000 individuals for military service. The published reports clarified that the current draft campaign is aligned with normal duties and not with any ongoing operation in Ukraine. The authorities indicated that call activities would proceed according to legal timelines and planning procedures.
Official publications indicate that most draftees would join training formations and military units to master modern equipment and develop military specialties within five months. After training, individuals would be deployed to units to operate the equipment they have learned to handle. This approach emphasizes building a skilled volunteer and conscript force with updated capabilities. Further updates are expected to clarify the timeline and scope of any autumn call, as the regime continues to manage recruitment amid administrative workload and mobilization considerations. The process is anticipated to conclude by the end of December, pending any formal changes to the schedule.
Overall, the discussion around conscription in Russia remains focused on preserving a balanced mix of trained personnel, professional soldiers, and conscripts, with a cautious eye on international developments and internal security needs. The government continues to follow established legal frameworks while assessing any potential adjustments to service terms, training pipelines, and mobilization procedures to align with evolving strategic priorities.
As the situation evolves, observers expect further official disclosures to address the duration of service, the structure of the training pipeline, and the practical implications for recruits scheduled to appear in spring and autumn cycles. The overarching aim remains to ensure a capable and ready force within the bounds of existing law and policy, with careful consideration given to national defense objectives and regional stability. (Cited: official statements and coverage from TASS and local outlets)