Russian troop enlistment offices targeted by arson

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Authorities in Russia on Wednesday blamed phone scammers for a string of fires at military enlistment offices throughout the country. Civilians attacked dozens of offices in recent weeks, Russia’s state-run media reported. Scammers reportedly coerced victims to commit arson using several tactics, according to the Russian news agency TASS, citing the Russian security agency.

How is Russia trying to increase troop numbers? The Russian parliament last month advanced legislation to increase the number of men eligible for military service by raising the maximum age for male conscription from 27 to 30 years old. The law has required Russian men between the ages of 18 to 27 to serve in the military for at least one year.

Dig deeper: Read Jill Nelson’s report in WORLD Magazine about who supports the Russian military during its invasion of Ukraine.

Lauren Canterberry

Lauren Canterberry is a reporter for WORLD. She graduated from the World Journalism Institute and the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism, both in 2017. She worked as a local reporter in Texas and now lives in Georgia with her husband.