UPDATE - Russian parliament votes to raise conscription age to 30

ADDS DETAILS, MINOR CHANGES

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russian lawmakers voted Tuesday to raise the maximum age for conscription from 27 years to 30.

“Deputies of the State Duma adopted in the second and third readings a law that provides that from January 1, 2024, citizens aged 18 to 30 will be called up for military service,” according to a statement by the lower house of parliament.

The move will increase the number of men liable for military service.

Andrey Kartapolov, the head of the State Duma’s Defense Committee, said lawmakers refused to raise the lower limit to 21 years.

Kartapolov said Russians who turn 27 by the end of 2023 will not be subject to the new age regulations​​​​​​​.

Lawmakers also passed a bill banning the departure from the Russian Federation for those subject to conscription from the moment they are sent a notification to report to military service.

The bill also introduces several other measures aimed "to put in order the system of military registration."