The military will rely increasingly on volunteer soldiers and sharply reduce the number of draftees, President Dmitry Medvedev said Friday.
He said the conscripts' share will be brought down to 10 percent to 20 percent in the next five to seven years, with volunteers accounting for the rest.
The pledge to reduce Russia's unpopular draft appears to be part of campaigning for Dec. 4 parliamentary elections, but it also reflects demographical problems that have made it increasingly difficult for the military to get enough draftees.
(AP)
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