Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a directive to conscript 133,000 new troops during Russia's autumn draft, which begins on October 1 and runs through the end of the year, according to a Kremlin decree released on Monday (Oct 1).

The decree, published in the state-run newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta, mandates the draft of citizens aged 18 to 30 who are not currently in the reserves, in line with the Federal Law, targeting a total of 133,000 individuals.

Vice-Admiral Vladimir Tsimlyansky, head of Russia’s conscription office, stated that the conscription terms will remain unchanged, with recruits serving a 12-month period in Russian military units.

Tsimlyansky emphasized that the newly drafted soldiers will not be sent to fight in the special military operation in the newly annexed regions, according to Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

Russia refers to its invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022, as a special military operation, while Kyiv and its allies label it an unprovoked, imperialistic land grab.

In late 2022, Russia annexed parts of southeastern Ukraine, declaring them 'new regions,' a move widely condemned by Western nations.

Citing increased threats along Russia's western borders, Putin announced in September that the Russian army would be expanded by 180,000 troops, bringing the total number of active servicemen to 1.5 million, making it the second-largest military force globally, after China.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, U.S. President Joe Biden, and other NATO leaders have criticized Putin, accusing him of being the sole instigator of the war in Ukraine and posing a threat to neighboring countries.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters file