By raising conscription age, Kremlin seeks to hide mobilization - UK intelligence

By extending the upper age of routine military conscription in Russia from 27 to 30 already this spring, the Kremlin is trying to hide the ongoing mobilization for the war in Ukraine in order to avoid growing discontent among the population.

The UK Ministry of Defense said this in its latest intelligence update published on Twitter, Ukrinform reports.

According to the update, on January 12, Andrey Kartapolov, the head of the Russian State Duma Defense Committee, suggested Russia would extend the upper age of routine military conscription from 27 to 30 in time for the Spring 2023 draft.

Kartapolov said the move would be intended to enable the previously announced 30% increase in the size of Russia's forces.

Last year, Russian President Putin said he supported such a move, and Russian officials are likely sounding out public reactions.

"There is a realistic possibility that Russian leaders hope a change of age criteria for routine conscription could bolster personnel available to fight in Ukraine while appear less alarming to the population than announcing another round of the unpopular 'partial mobilization' process," the ministry said.