From Echo Moskvy:
Russia’s spring draft begins
Plans are under way by the forces ministries and other agencies to conscript just over 153,000 citizens aged 18 to 27 into the armed forces. This is approximately 2,500 fewer than last spring’s draft. A protest against the draft took place today in Moscow. It was closed event, held by the “Molodyozhnoye Yabloko” organisation. “Every year we protest against conscription and come out in support of a professional army”, the head of the organisation Zaza Abshilava told us. The protest took place without clashes with police.
Comments from Echo Moskvy:
mikhail_spb_:
I bet it’s great to be called up to serve your country at 27!
polianna:
One reason that my family and I vote for Yabloko, because their manifesto has the important point about a professional army.
bazzarov:
I served 20 years ago, they had already started taking on contract soldiers, and for some reason, I was confident back then that in the 21st century, we would have a completely professional army, however, we’ve kept conscription in Russia to this day …
crazyengineering:
If they’re not going to cancel the draft, then at least let’s make it useful – a year of service should count for three working years, and let’s get all the draftees to earn their driving licences while they’re serving.
pavel_liberal:
Conscripted slavery in the 21st century is the ugliest and most shameful thing about Russia. Keeping young people outside of the cities, believing that there’s some use in humiliating and depriving people of their individuality is just disgusting.
vladark:
Chechens aren’t called up, even though they call themselves Russian citizens. The rest all get called up, but Chechens don’t. So is Chechnya part of Russia, or is Russia part of Chechnya!?
Further comments from Echo Moskvy:
santil:
My neighbour’s back from the army, he’s not complaining. Now, he’s trying to choose from a number of job offers. An affirmative answer to the question “did you serve in the army?” increases your chances of getting a job.
caftan:
Ahh, what I wouldn’t give to be back in the long-passed 80s with my company … ! (( There’s nothing sweeter than nostalgia!)
shinobi:
Mmm … legal slavery. Now they’re going to persuade me that being a slave is good, and everyone should be a slave.
sightseeker:
Only dogs at the circus serve. Give us a citizen’s militia like in Switzerland – everyone has a two month boot camp and a machine gun at home!
What do you think? Do you have military service in your country? Did you serve?