Russia's Defense Ministry says media, financial workers exempt from mobilization

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russia's Defense Ministry on Friday announced categories of citizens exempted from partial military mobilization announced by President Vladimir Putin two days ago.

According to a ministry statement, employees of IT, communication, media, and financial companies that have strategic importance will be exempt from military service.

"The lists of citizens submitted by the heads of the relevant organizations in the prescribed form to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will be considered the basis for exemption from reporting to military service," the ministry said.

Putin on Wednesday declared mobilization of 300,000 people between the ages of 18 and 50 for Moscow's "special military operation" in Ukraine.