The annual spring induction into the armed forces, which started on April 1, expects to call up 153,200 young men for peacetime military service. It is 13,000 more than last fall. The draft will last through July 15.

      The annual problem of all drafts in Russia is traditionally draft dodging. Over 244,000 draft-age men dodged conscription last year. Some 8,794 Russian men did not answer their conscription notices and some 235,800 men simply avoided being handed their conscription papers.

      Military officials are obliged to notify potential recruits that they are eligible for the draft as soon as they reach the age of 18 until the age of 27. The Russian Army is one of the most problem and criticized spheres of the Russian life, with poor security and provision and several noticeable scandals each year, that is why the number of draft dodgers is usually big.