Vladimir Putin is to send school-leavers into the war in his latest desperate manoeuvre to recruit cannon fodder.
Russia will be able to sign up conscripts as young as 18 who will then be ordered to the front as part of his regular army, under new legislation.
The new laws, rubber stamped this week by Putin's obedient parliament, pave the way for the recruitment of hundreds of thousands of raw recruits.
Putin previously reassured worried parents that he would not send first-time conscripts aged 18 and 19 straight into battle.
There was a three month period when this was technically barred, but experts say there is no such exemption anymore.
Conscripts can be enticed to sign contracts from day one after their call up to compulsory military service right after school.
They will be paid more but then can be ordered into Russian trenches in occupied Ukraine.
"Signing the contract means that the serviceman can be immediately sent ‘to the zone of the special military operation’,” warned respected journalist Farida Rustamova after analysing the new laws.
"There are plenty of examples of how the military authorities force conscripts to sign contracts.
"It is important to understand that during mobilisation contracts actually become indefinite, that is, it is not known how long you will have to fight."
Ms Rustamova warned the move was tantamount to a new mobilisation.
"Amendments abolishing the three-month rule indirectly confirm the authorities' plans to recruit as many contract servicemen as possible this year," she warned.
The BBC Russian Service echoed the analysis.
Under the legal manoeuvre, 18-year-olds will be allowed for the first time "to enter military service under a contract immediately after graduating from high school".
A similar move was vetoed last summer but now Putin is more desperate and ready to throw young lives into his war in Ukraine.
It means Putin can tap into his Yunarmia - a military-style organisation likened to the Hitler Youth - which now numbers 1.3 million, set up in 2015.
Its numbers have swelled around half a million since the start of his war against Ukraine.
Other moves are being made to cajole men in their 20s, 30s and 40s into uniform - with subtle recruitment steps short of a full mobilisation as Putin seeks to quietly but decisively swell troops numbers.
Separately, hardline Russian MP Oleg Nilov demanded Russia impose a “military tax” of up to three percent to fund Putin’s war.
“This is used in many countries, including Ukraine,” he said.
“[It is necessary] to introduce a military tax.
“A few percent, 2-or-3% [on top of] income tax.”
This would fund a “multimillion-strong army of our men”.
In December the Russian MP was caught on camera offering to send missiles for Christmas to a boy from Kyiv.
