Putin calls up 160,000 conscripts amid Ukraine conflict

President Vladimir Putin has announced a call-up of 160,000 men aged 18-30 for military service, marking the largest conscription since 2011. This initiative aims to bolster Russia's military strength, with plans to increase troop numbers to 2.4 million, including 1.5 million active servicemen. Despite official statements asserting that conscripts will not engage in combat in Ukraine, there are reports of their involvement in fighting, particularly in border areas. The conscription campaign, running until mid-July, utilizes both traditional postal notifications and an electronic system through the state services website Gosuslugi. Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict has seen significant casualties, with independent sources estimating over 100,000 Russian soldiers killed since the invasion of Ukraine. The announcement comes amid stalled peace negotiations facilitated by the U.S., with Ukraine accusing Russia of preparing for further offensives.