Increased spending on defense and a new Russian conscription law are signs of the Kremlin's increasingly aggressive posture and preparations for future conflict with Europe and NATO states, according to analysts. As Ukraine and its Western allies continue to sound the alarm about Moscow's long-term intentions, Russian lawmakers introduced a bill on July 22 that would allow year-round conscription. If passed, the new system would replace the traditional bi-annual draft, enabling continuous repl

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In the latest move, Russian lawmakers introduced a bill on July 22 to allow continuous, year-round conscription on July 22.

“If this law is passed, it can be considered a stealth mobilization,” Ukrainian defense expert, Denys Popovych, told the Kyiv Independent.

“There is a 99% chance that this law will be passed, because it was submitted by (Andriy) Kartopolov, who is (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s man, his mouthpiece. What he submits will largely be approved, and is agreed with Putin,” he added.

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These changes in mobilization laws are … being accompanied by dramatic defense spending plans.

According to Ukraine’s intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, Moscow plans to spend $1.1 trillion on rearmament by 2036, an unprecedented investment since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

“There is a total mobilization of politics, economy, and society of the Russian Federation to be ready for the upcoming large-scale war,” Budanov said.

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Another factor in Russia’s desire to increase mobilization is simply that it might not be able to afford to pay the huge sums necessary to sign contracts for much longer.

“Russia’s budget is currently bursting at the seams,” Popovych said. “Many industries and transport sectors have collapsed due to sanctions. Therefore, they will obviously not have enough money to recruit people for the war, as they are doing now.”

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