German military opt-out claims tripled in eight months, highlighting manpower, fiscal and labor-market pressures behind Berlin’s defense expansion.
Putin backed using citizens deemed fully unfit for military service in rear-area drone defense, highlighting Russia’s manpower strain.
Belarus directs underperforming agricultural workers to military service to enforce labor discipline and address harvest productivity amidst regional security concerns.
Austria plans to extend mandatory military service to nine months to address new security challenges stemming from geopolitical tensions and hybrid threats.
Germany has seen a sharp increase in military service refusals in early 2026, driven by security concerns and conscription reforms aimed at expanding the Bundeswehr’s size.
Russia plans to end mandatory medical exams for contract soldiers, revealing recruitment challenges amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
