Putin backed a plan to use medically unfit volunteers for rear-area drone defense, signaling pressure on Russia’s manpower strategy.
Austria plans to extend mandatory military service to nine months and introduce recurring training to strengthen defense amid increased security threats in Europe.
Ukraine’s Zelensky warns Russia plans to expand military mobilization in 2026 and deepen cooperation with North Korea, posing new strategic challenges amid ongoing conflict.
Russia proposes expanding military service eligibility to include convicts charged with serious crimes, aiming to boost contract soldier recruitment amid ongoing military pressures.
Germany recorded 5,862 military service refusals in H1 2027 amid new conscription reforms and rising security tensions, surpassing totals from previous years.
Russia's Defense Ministry proposes ending mandatory medical exams for contract soldiers, highlighting recruitment pressures amid ongoing military operations in Ukraine.
Russian anti-war activist Ilya Shkolny wins asylum in Germany after a three-year legal struggle and initial deportation refusals amid concerns over political persecution.