Russian President calls for increased number of contract servicemenSeptember 27, 2011 - 15:33 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev urged on Tuesday, September 27, an increase in the number of contract servicemen in the country's armed forces. The Kremlin has vowed to ultimately scrap conscription and move to a largely professional army. Speaking at a meeting with military officials near the Urals city of Chelyabinsk, Medvedev warned however of the financial challenges the move would entail. "We can't attract contract servicemen without creating some elementary conditions for them," the president said, RIA Novosti reported. The Russian army plans to cut army manpower from 1.2 million to 1 million by 2016. More than half of Russians want compulsory military service for young men scrapped, according to the country's leading pollster, the Levada Center.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village  Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush provinceNarek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28.Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia.Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |
