OREANDA-NEWS  The increase in the draft age of citizens from 18 years to 21 years can be implemented only through changes in legislation, this may happen next year. This was allowed by the head of the State Duma Committee on Defense, Andrei Kartapolov.

According to the parliamentarian, the Russian authorities are waiting for official proposals from the Ministry of Defense on this issue. "As for the timing, I think that everything can be implemented within the next year," he stressed.

At the same time, the deputy said that the Duma Defense Committee supports the proposal of the Ministry of Defense to increase the draft age.

Earlier, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu made a proposal to gradually increase the draft age from 18 to 21 years, and the maximum age of conscription — from 27 to 30 years. In what time frame the age of conscription will be changed, the head of the department did not specify in his speech.