Russian Military Begins Spring Call-Up

The Russian military plans to call up more than 150,000 recruits this year. (file photo)

April 1 marks the first day of the spring military call-up in Russia.

Between April 1 and June 15, the military plans to call up 153,200 recruits, a military spokesman Colonel General Vasily Smirnov told journalists.

In addition, Smirnov said, the military intends to increase the number of contract service personnel to 241,000.

Military prosecutor Aleksandr Nikitin said between 600 and 1,000 people each year are criminally charged with attempting to avoid the draft.

In 2012, 477 people were convicted and sentenced for draft avoidance.

Based on reporting by Interfax and ITAR-TASS