The Russian Armed Forces is proceeding with its spring draft between 1 April and 15 July, despite the ongoing global COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
Defence minister Sergei Shoigu said on 20 March: ‘We have paid special attention to the upcoming draft. It will take place in strict compliance with the federal law, in the planned time span.’
Russia continues to push ahead with the testing of a range of weapons including hypersonic missiles and artillery systems whilst western militaries pivot to face the domestic challenges posed by the COVID-19 outbreak in Europe and North America.
Russia has a reported infection count of approximately 200 confirmed coronavirus cases.