https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230331_27/
Russia to draft 147,000 civilians, denies they will go to Ukraine
Russia has announced it will call up more than 140,000 young citizens in its spring draft. But it denies they will be sent to Ukrainian battlefields, where Russian forces are thought to have suffered substantial damage.
The US think tank Institute for the Study of War on Thursday cited analysis by US authorities on the fighting over control of the city of Bakhmut in Ukraine's eastern region. It said both Russian forces and private Russian military firm the Wagner Group have had significant casualties.
British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace on Wednesday revealed Washington's latest assessment that more than 220,000 Russian troops and mercenaries have been killed or injured in Ukraine.
Russia's Presidential office said on Thursday that President Vladimir Putin had signed a decree authorizing the conscription of 147,000 people aged 18 to 27 between April 1 and July 15.
The country's defense ministry said the conscription is for military service in Russia, and that those drafted will be sent back home after their service period.
Anxiety has been growing among Russians about possible additional mobilization of citizens to fight in Ukraine.