Russia’s Shame

labour; those canny or rich enough to escape the draft can be more profitable still. Only a small minority of 18-27-year-olds (9%, says the defence ministry, though this is disputed) actually serve their two years. The rest are exempted on medical grounds, or receive educational deferments which bring huge bribes for doctors and universities….

This shameless travesty has huge costs. Conscripts are generally poor, ill-educated, and sometimes already alcoholic and malnourished.