MOSCOW -- The party led by Russian nationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky today proposed a draft law that would allow young men to pay the equivalent of $32,500 to the Defense Ministry instead of performing military service, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.
The bill was proposed by the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) faction in the Russian State Duma.
LDPR representatives said the draft law is intended to eradicate corruption within military commissions throughout the country.
They said the money paid for exemption from military service will be used for the Defense Ministry's needs.
Young men between 18 and 27 years of age are obliged to serve for 12 months in the Russian Army. Many of them try to avoid military service by paying bribes to local military commission officials.
The bill was proposed by the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) faction in the Russian State Duma.
LDPR representatives said the draft law is intended to eradicate corruption within military commissions throughout the country.
They said the money paid for exemption from military service will be used for the Defense Ministry's needs.
Young men between 18 and 27 years of age are obliged to serve for 12 months in the Russian Army. Many of them try to avoid military service by paying bribes to local military commission officials.