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Most military departments at Russian universities to be closed
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov confirmed on Friday that the vast majority of military departments in Russian universities will be closed by 2009. The move, that will strip many young men of the opportunity to defer or avoid the compulsory military draft, was first revealed by a top defense ministry official on Thursday. For young Russian men, such departments are an opportunity to receive the rank of reserve officers and thus an opportunity to escape serving in an army notorious for vicious hazing and poor living conditions. "This decision was studied in detail by the general staff and approved by the Security Council," the Interfax news agency quoted Ivanov as telling a meeting of military top brass. He said that of the 52,000 students who graduate every year as reserve officers, only 6,000 are called up for conscription. "What is the government spending taxpayers' money on?" Ivanov asked. The defense minister said there were military departments in 229 universities at present, but that under the plan only 30 to 35 would remain by 2009. "The others will be shut down," he said. All Russian men between the ages of 18 and 27 are required to serve two years in the armed forces _ three years for the navy. However, military officials have said that only 9.5 percent of eligible men are being drafted. Many try to dodge service in the underfunded military by signing up for college, being excused for health reasons _ often falsified _ or paying bribes. While students who graduate without military training are automatically drafted into the army, most reserve officers avoid military service altogether. Russian officials plan to switch part of the nation's military from conscripts to volunteer soldiers and reduce the conscription term by one year _ a measure expected to take effect by 2008. They say, however, that this will require enlisting twice as many conscripts _ around half a million per year. Ivanov floated plans earlier this year to end all student deferments from military service but backed down due to public protest.
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