INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Russian lawmakers have adopted a bill scrapping upper age limits for those wishing to enter military service, prompting speculation that the
country could be scrambling to bolster its depleted manpower amid its invasion of Ukraine.Russian law currently allows any citizen aged 18
last week and approved in its final reading Wednesday, would remove the upper age limit for first-time recruits
It now must be signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin to formally become law."Highly professional specialists are needed to use
high-precision weapons and operate weapons and military equipment," said one note accompanying the bill.The change would not apply to
serving soldiers wishing to renew their military contract, who still must be under 50 years of age.The bill was introduced by Andrei
currently serving in the Russian Armed Forces
legally deployed abroad after four months of military training.Analysts say Russia may be seeking to loosen requirements for contract
