Putin Orders Draft of 135,000 Amid Difficulties in Ukraine War

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a draft of 135,000 individuals amid the country’s difficult invasion of Ukraine.

The government published a decree by Putin Monday that stated 134,650 Russians who are not already in the military or reserves will be drafted, per The Hill.

The draft of men ages 18 to 27 will run from April 1st to July 15th.

“We have information that Putin felt misled by the Russian military, which has resulted in persistent tension between Putin and his military leadership,” the White House said Wednesday.

“We believe that Putin is being misinformed by his advisers about how badly the Russian military is performing and how the Russian economy is being crippled by sanctions because his senior advisers are too afraid to tell him the truth,” they added.

Monday's document also says military personnel will be discharged whose contracts are up, according to a Russian state-media outlet.