Conflicts & War

Putin signs law to remove age limit to join military amid Ukraine war

Moscow, May 28 (EFE).- Russian president Vladimir Putin on Saturday signed a law that removes the upper age limit for contractual service in the military, coinciding with the war in Ukraine.

The law was already approved by the Russian parliament on Wednesday with the objective to let everyone in the working-age group sign their first professional contract with the armed forces.

Earlier, Russians aged between 18 and 40 and foreigners from 18 to 30 could enlist as professional soldiers in the Russian Army.

Pro-government lawmakers said highly professional specialists, whose age is usually around 40-45 years, were needed to use high-precision weapons and operate weapons and military equipment.

The lawmakers said the legislation would make it easier for civilian doctors, engineers, and communications specialists to join the military.

They said civilian specialists were interested in working in Ukraine but could not be called in for services because the law did not allow it.

Western intelligence reports have speculated that Russia could have lost more than 15,000 soldiers since the invasion of Ukraine began on Feb.24.

The Soviet Army lost the same number of soldiers in the War in Afghanistan from 1979 to 1989. EFE

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