The declaration marked a significant escalation of Moscow’s efforts to maintain control over occupied regions of Ukraine but left many questions unanswered about who would specifically be called up to service as troops.
Under existing Russian law, military mobilization can potentially include all Russian citizens ages 18 to 65 if deemed necessary "to ensure the defense of the country, maintain public order, or protect the vital interests of the state.” However, Moscow initially clarified that the call-up was targeting individuals with prior military experience and expertise relevant to what it refers to as the “special military operation” in Ukraine. Russian citizens in certain sectors would also initially be exempt, including those working in information technology, finance, defense and other related roles deemed by the government to be especially vulnerable in the event of widespread conscription.
