Russia Extends Military Service Age To 65 Years Of Age
By Donald Standeford, Correspondent - Follow -
Date Published: May 28, 2022 01:15PM UTC
Last Modified: May 28, 2022 01:15PM UTC
MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a new law that abolishes the age limit of those allowed to join its military. The age limit to serve in the Russian military has now been extended to up to 65 years of age for men and 60 years of age for women, which is the age of retirement.
The previous age limit to join the Russian military had been 18 years of age to 40 years of age for Russian citizens, and 18 years of age to 30 years of age for foreign nationals.
State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin put out a statement saying, "Today, especially, we need to strengthen the armed forces and help the Ministry of Defense. Our Supreme Commander is doing everything to ensure that our armed forces win, and we need to help".
Two members of Russia's ruling party stated that raising the age limit would give the Russian military the ability to utilize the skills of older, more experienced professionals.
"For the use of high-precision weapons, the operation of weapons and military equipment, highly professional specialists are needed. Experience shows that they become such by the age of 40-45" it stated.
Russian lawmakers also said that this would make it easier for the military to recruit civilian medics, engineers and communications specialists.
A senior U.S. defense official had reported that Russia had sent 80% of its ground forces into Ukraine in the beginning phase of their invasion on Ukraine.
Military experts have pointed out that Russia has experienced unsustainable losses due to its invasion on Ukraine. Raising the age limit will allow Russia to replenish forces that it has lost due to its war on the country.
Rob Lee, a military analyst said "Russia lacks sufficient ground units with contract soldiers for a sustainable rotation. The troops are getting exhausted – they won’t be able to keep this up for a long period".
