The Kremlin: There are no plans to abolish mandatory military service in Russia

Press spokesman for the Russian Presidency (Kremlin) Dmitry Peskov denied that the Russian leadership is planning to cancel compulsory conscription in the country.

Peskov said in a press statement today, Wednesday, according to the Russian news agency TASS: "One can express his personal opinion on the matter, but we must proceed from the fact that the discussion is about an absolute constitutional duty on the citizens of the Russian Federation."

He added, "At the present time, there are no discussions in Russia about the possibility of abandoning compulsory military service as a constitutional duty."

Peskov's comments came against the backdrop of an interview conducted by a Russian newspaper with TV presenter, Dmitry Nagiyev, on the occasion of the Day of the Homeland Defenders on February 23. In it, Nagiyev criticized the compulsory military service, based on his personal experiences. The Russian Armed Forces are currently formed on a dual basis of compulsory conscripts and volunteer military serving under contract with the Ministry of Defense. Male adults between the ages of 18 and 28 are subject to mandatory conscription, with a period of 12 months of service.