Europe

Worried About Russia, Sweden Brings Back Its Military Draft

Citing Russian aggression in Ukraine and Crimea, Sweden has decided to bring back its military draft.

Worried About Russia, Sweden Brings Back Its Military Draft
Swedish Ministry of Defense
SMS

Seven years after Sweden discontinued compulsory military service, the country has decided to bring back its draft.

Starting next year, Sweden expects to conscript at least 4,000 young men and women annually for military service.

The country's defense minister cited two big reasons for the buildup: Russia's annexation of Crimea and continued Russian aggression in the Ukraine.

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Even though Sweden has worked with NATO in the past, the country isn't a part of the alliance. That means NATO wouldn't have to come to the country's aid in the event of an incident with Russia.

So Sweden has decided it needs to take defense matters into its own hands.