Putin's new conscription rules see Russians 'choose life of fun' over never-ending war

 Young Russians are looking for methods to defer joining Russia-Ukraine war, and experts have revealed how people are using education to sidestep the draft.

If a Russian man is receiving education at college, or is in a full-time undergraduate programme, he doesn't have to join the army until he's done.

The way it works is that after finishing school, they would receive a "temporary exemption" from the army until October 1 as long as he's passed an exam called the Unified State Exam.

And when he's enrolled in a college or university, he gets a deferment until he graduates. On the other hand, if he hasn't passed the special exam, then he could be called up in the Spring draft. Experts have weighed in on how to make the most of it, and how it works, according to media organisation MKRU.

Lawyer Alexander Chernetsov said: "In order not to mislead the military registration and enlistment office, you need to notify it of your admission to the bachelor's program immediately after you receive a copy of the enrolment order.

"You present a certificate from your place of study to the draft board. But all this only applies to full-time students. There are no deferments for evening and correspondence courses."

Meanwhile, human rights activist Andrei Porodzinsky explained it further, and added: "Students in the Master's program also have the right to a deferment if the university has state accreditation, full-time education, and the Master's program is immediately after completing the Bachelor's degree.

"To receive a deferment, bring to the military registration and enlistment office a certificate confirming your studies at the university (it has the number and date, the number of the enrollment order, the specialty code and the date of graduation from the university, signature and seal), as well as a copy of the bachelor's diploma, certified by a notary or the university that issued the diploma."

However, there are some things to be aware of. For instance, if you're in between applying for University after graduating from college, you're not protected from conscription.

Experts have also added that "if a student studied not for a bachelor's degree, but for a specialist degree, then further studies in a master's degree program do not provide a deferment from military service."

You can take an academic leave only once during your studies and only for one year - then your deferment will not "burn out." Academic leave can only be given in the case of health or family problems, but Russians can also apply for a "leave on the right of academic mobility."

This is a way to avoid the draft and study outside University as long as they can claim credits. It comes as Vladimir Putin’s “favourite newspaper” is telling its readers exactly when and how World War III will start.

Komsomolskaya Pravda [KP] newspaper is actively telling people to get ready for nuclear war with the West. The publication argues Western politicians and military figures have threatened war with Russia.

Russian military expert Andrei Klintsevich said: “They [the West] need a big war to dismember Russia into small independent states and get free access to our resources.” Independent news outlet Agentsvo said the report in KP was “intended to prepare Russian public opinion for a potential war with NATO”.