Russian lawmakers on Tuesday voted to increase the age for military conscription, a move aimed at expanding Moscow’s army ranks with a bigger pool of trained recruits who could potentially join the battle in Ukraine.

The decision reflects the Kremlin’s long-term plans to bolster its military while avoiding a general mobilisation, in which Russian men who have served in the military — up to 70 years old in the highest ranks — could be called up. President Vladimir V. Putin has carefully tried to avoid a larger mobilisation in order to maintain support for the war.

The new law, passed by the lower house of Parliament, applies to the year of military service required of all Russian men. Starting next year, those aged 18 to 30 will be required to serve; previously, it was 18 to 27. The bill also prohibits men who have been conscripted from leaving the country, an attempt to cut down on draft dodging.

The law, along with a number of other measures Russian legislators passed this year, highlight how the Kremlin is seeking to strengthen its military for what it has depicted as an existential conflict with the West.

New York Times News Service