Russia encourages conscripts to sign contracts starting at 18 years old, according to the Central Defense Ministry.

Russia is urging conscripted servicemen to sign contracts starting at the age of 18. This was reported by Andrey Kovalenko, head of the Center for Counteracting Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council.

"Due to a decrease in the number of volunteer contract soldiers and an increase in their age category, as well as losses in the Russian army, there is now an active push for conscripts aged 18 and older to sign contracts with subsequent deployment to combat zones," he stated.

Kovalenko emphasized that commanders have been given a specific task - to ensure that young conscripts transition to contract service.

"These individuals are thrown into battle within the first few weeks after signing the contract, yet they are not warned about such rapid involvement in combat, with promises of money only," he added.

It is worth noting that Russia attacked Ukraine at night using drones and missiles: air defense forces destroyed 57 UAVs. On the night of January 23, 2025, Ukraine repelled a large-scale aerial assault. The enemy launched 92 strike drones and 4 ballistic missiles, resulting in destruction and civilian casualties.