Troop shortages in Ukraine force Russia to up top army conscription age

Men of 19 to 49 instead of 19 to 40 are now eligible for military conscription, the Russian army announced on Tuesday to meet the seriously dwindling combat manpower fighting in the Ukraine conflict. The Russians have also dropped previous combat experience as their qualifying condition for admission to armored combat courses.  Service and supply units are no longer barred to recruits in sub-standard health. And a criminal record is no longer an obstacle for service in the Russian army, provided the offenses were minor.