Number of conscripts grows in Russia

MOSCOW, July 15 (Itar-Tass) - About 305,000 young people were drafted
into the army during the spring military recruitment campaign. The deputy
head of the Russian Army General Staff, Vassily Smirnov, said at a news
conference recently that the number of conscripts has grown more than
twofold as compared with the same period last year, when 133,000 people
were drafted. This happens because of a switch to a one-year military
service.
According to Smirnov, the number of people dodging military service is
decreasing, but still it is quite significant. A total of 7,100 people
dodged military service in spring 2009. In 2008, almost 7,500 people
dodged military service, while in 2007 - 12,500.
Thirty percent of young people were rejected by the medical commission
for health reasons, Smirnov said.
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