Russia has removed an upper age limit for the military, with nation’s president Vladimir Putin signing the bill into law. Russian state media TASS reported there is no age cap for country people or foreigners, to join the military as contract service members. 

The Duma had passed the bill on Wednesday. Prior to Putin’s greenlight, Russian citizens aged 18 to 40 could enlist in the military, as could foreigners aged between 18 and 30. 

Head of the State Duma Defense Committee, Andrei Kartapolov, and his first deputy, Andrei Krasov drafted the changes, with TASS reporting that the aim is to attract specialists for medical support, engineering, and communications. The draft further explains that using high-precision weapons and other military equipment requires expertise, and these specialists are expected to gain experience by the age of 40 to 45. 

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However, Moscow’s new rule comes amid a desperate drive to sign on more military personnel. Earlier, Moscow Times reported that soldiers in Tula, a city to the southwest of Moscow, were being offered over 170,000 rubles ($2,900) per month, for a three-month contract, which is four times the average local salary. 

The Russian army has faced heavy losses in Ukraine since Putin sent his troops in on February 24, in what the nation still maintains is a “special military operation“. 

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There have also been reports of Russian soldiers unwilling to go to the frontlines, and refusing to follow orders. Russia’s military conscription has also come under criticism after Kremlin said they wouldn’t fight in Ukraine, but later admitted they were serving in combat. 

This latest push to include more experienced troop members comes amid Ukraine receiving more sophisticated weaponry from NATO countries, to defend against the Russian assault. Putin’s new law could serve not only to bolster Russia’s troops, but also involve those with combat experience, and expertise in handling more complex weapon systems.