Putin calls up 160,000 new conscripts

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Monday calling 160,000 conscripts to arms.

Twice a year, Russian men can be called up for compulsory military service of one year. In July, a new decree will call up 160,000 men aged 18 to 30.

According to the decree, they will not be deployed for front-line combat. However, there have been previous reports of newly called-up soldiers being deployed in fights in the border region between Russia and Ukraine.

(HL - Source: Guardian, NRC - Picture: @ Filip Andrejevic on Unsplash)