Russian students may have to serve in army after graduating

Officials from the Russian Defense Ministry on Thursday called for abolishing most military departments at Russian universities, reports Associated Press, a decision that would strip young men of the opportunity to defer or avoid the compulsory military draft.

If the decision is taken the students of the Universities which used to graduate as reserve officers will have to serve one year in the army in order to receive that status.

A final decision is up to the government.

All Russian men between the ages of 18 and 27 are required to serve two years in the armed forces - three years for the navy. Russian officials plan to switch part of the nation's military from draftees to volunteer soldiers and reduce the conscription term by one year - a measure expected to take effect by 2008. They say, however, that halving the draft term will require enlisting twice as many conscripts - around half a million per year, informs AP.