Conscript soldiers will be sent to fight fires because of staff shortages

Conscript soldiers will be sent to fight fires because of staff shortages

The government has approved a bill providing for the deployment of conscript soldiers to reinforce the military units of Russia's Federal Firefighting Service under the Emergency Situations Ministry. They will be involved in extinguishing fires and carrying out rescue operations, Vedomosti reported, citing sources in government structures.

Under the proposed initiative, the scope of activity of the FPS military units will be significantly expanded. Whereas previously their authority was limited to guarding closed territories, restricted-access sites, and especially important facilities, the new rules will allow them to operate within populated areas and in various organizations.