Russia trying to lure conscripts with new benefits

Faced with a high rate of draft evasion, Russia's military is trying to lure conscripts with new benefits, RIA Novosti reports. According to RIA Novosti, the government is considering to provide former conscripts with free training for university entrance exams, and grants for university graduates who are former conscripts to continue their education in Russian and foreign business schools. In addition, former conscripts will receive benefits when entering the state's civil service.
According to RIA Novosti, these measures are expected to be approved by the government by mid-September, two weeks before the start of the annual autumn conscription period on 1 October 2012.

In addition, the government is planning to introduce more patriotic and sports training measures at public schools, and to promote combat sports among young Russians.

The measures are designed to counter the high number of draft evasion among Russian conscripts, who fear hazing and abuse within the military. In addition, the military plans to increase the number of presently about 200,000 professional soldiers to about 70% of the total strength of the Armed Forces by 2017.

Source: RIA Novosti: Russia Considers New Benefits for Army Conscripts, 31 July 2012