April 04, 2022

The Russian Spring Draft


The Russian Spring Draft
Vladimir Putin and Sergei Shoigu Press Office of the President of Russia

The annual Russian spring draft takes place from April 1 to July 15. This year, President Vladimir Putin recently signed orders for 134,500 new army conscripts. The decree affects men 18 to 27.

Many are concerned the new conscripts will be sent to the war in Ukraine. But Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said none of the new conscripts would be deployed to “hot spots.” 

The issue with this? President Vladimir Putin has already sent new conscripts to Ukraine after stating that only officers or those with experience would be deployed, as confirmed by the Defense Ministry on March 9. A spokesman stated, in Putin’s defense, that military prosecutors have been assigned the task of punishing those responsible for disobeying orders from Putin to not deploy conscripts.

As of now, it is not clear if the conscripts will soon see war, or will receive proper training.

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Life Stories: Original Fiction By Russian Authors

The Life Stories collection is a nice introduction to contemporary Russian fiction: many of the 19 authors featured here have won major Russian literary prizes and/or become bestsellers. These are life-affirming stories of love, family, hope, rebirth, mystery and imagination, masterfully translated by some of the best Russian-English translators working today. The selections reassert the power of Russian literature to affect readers of all cultures in profound and lasting ways. Best of all, 100% of the profits from the sale of this book are going to benefit Russian hospice—not-for-profit care for fellow human beings who are nearing the end of their own life stories.
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November 16, 2011

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The Life Stories collection is a nice introduction to contemporary Russian fiction: many of the 19 authors featured here have won major Russian literary prizes and/or become bestsellers. These are life-affirming stories of love, family, hope, rebirth, mystery and imagination, masterfully translated by some of the best Russian-English translators working today. The selections reassert the power of Russian literature to affect readers of all cultures in profound and lasting ways. Best of all, 100% of the profits from the sale of this book are going to benefit Russian hospice—not-for-profit care for fellow human beings who are nearing the end of their own life stories.

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In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex, rich and bittersweet portrait, based on great respect for Russian culture.

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