Russia Ends Soviet-Era Draft System

In 2025, the State Duma passed a landmark law that redefines the country's approach to military service. The legislation transitions the recruitment of new soldiers from a seasonal schedule to a continuous, year-round operation. This decision was made to modernize the armed forces' intake process.

The driving force behind this legislative change was Andrey Kartapalov, who serves as the head of the Duma's Defense Committee. Kartapalov proposed the concept of a year-round draft, which was subsequently debated and signed into law. The law now mandates that the recruitment of conscripts will occur continuously throughout the year.

The new law abolishes a recruitment structure that had been in place for decades. The previous system, which scheduled draft campaigns twice a year during the spring and autumn months, was originally established by the 1967 Soviet law on universal military duty. This framework had remained largely unchanged since the USSR era.

By adopting the year-round recruitment model, the government is formally moving away from the 1967 legislation. The shift represents a break from historical practices, signaling a modernization of military administration that aligns with contemporary operational needs rather than traditional seasonal cycles.

The transition to a year-round draft system is expected to alter the dynamics of military service entry. Under the previous biannual system, specific periods of the year were designated for mass intake, creating distinct waves of recruits. The continuous model allows for a more steady flow of personnel into the armed forces.

This structural change, championed by Andrey Kartapalov and the Defense Committee, aims to streamline the logistical aspects of conscription. The elimination of the rigid spring and autumn schedules allows the military to manage personnel levels with greater flexibility throughout the calendar year.

The 2025 legislation passed by the State Duma represents a historic pivot in military policy. By ending the Soviet-era practice of twice-yearly drafts, the nation is embracing a modernized approach to military service. The shift to a continuous recruitment cycle, proposed by Andrey Kartapalov, is set to define the future of conscription.

As the new system takes effect, the legacy of the 1967 law on universal military duty concludes. The implementation of year-round recruitment stands as a major administrative evolution for the country's defense infrastructure.