Russia mobilises 70-year-olds as it readies 100,000 men for Ukraine war

Russia has upped the maximum age for its soldiers by up to ten years as it readies another 100,000 men for the war in Ukraine. 

Vladimir Putin is building a new force of soldiers to attack the northern sector of the frontline in Ukraine.

Under a recently approved law, reservists with the highest rank can be called back into service up to the age of 70, instead of the former age of 65.

Men who have also completed their compulsory service can re-enter the army up to the age of 55 rather than 45.  

It comes after hundreds of thousands of men fled the country in September when Putin ordered mobilisation without warning. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin makes a statement about Wagner’s action on TV in Moscow,

A Ukrainian soldier gestures as he fires toward Russian position on the frontline in Zaporizhzhia region

With birth rates at their lowest in 23 years, a recent worrying report revealed that at least 47,000 Russian soldiers have been killed since the start of the war in Ukraine. 

This is in stark comparison to the reported 6,000 soldiers that died during the decade-long war between Russia and Afghanistan.

Col Serhi Cherevaty, a Ukrainian army spokesman, said that Russia had ordered Storm-Z ex-convict battalions to prepare for battle and was firing more than 500 shells per day around Kupyansk.

He said: ‘The enemy has concentrated a very powerful group. More than 100,000 personnel, more than 900 tanks, more than 550 artillery systems and 370 rocket salvo systems.’

In April it was revealed that Putin was planning to clamp down on draft dodgers by creating a new digital conscription system.

Currently, draft notices have to be delivered in person in Russia, which many Russian men have managed to doge by refusing to pick up the enlistment orders and fleeing the country.

Last month, Putin delivered a rallying cry to Russia’s military and security services telling them they halted a slide into civil war when Wagner mercenaries rebelled and marched on Moscow, and held a minute’s silence for those killed in the brief clash.

Addressing some 2,500 members of Russia’s security forces, National Guard and military units, he said the people and the armed forces had stood together in opposition to rebel mercenaries.