"In autumn the army will get only 9.5 percent of the call-up contingent. Ten years ago we drafted 30 percent. 9.5 percent is the critical line not to be toed, or we will be left without the armed forces", he said.
The defence minister voiced concern over the number of deferments and a third of the called up being unfit for draft on grounds of health. "It is an indication of the health of the nation", he noted.
As regards the specifics of the autumn draft, which began on October 1, Sergei Ivanov said that the first draftees at assembly points have begun to try on the winter uniforms.
Another specificity of draft is the emergence of the alternative military service. 1,500 applications have been filed country-wide and the draft boards, manned by non-servicemen, have okayed 1,005 of them.
With the alternative service "we now have a new category - civilian deserters. One third of those due to do service on contract have fled".
None of today's draftees will go to Chechnya, the defence minister stated. This also goes for all power ministries calling up young men, he said.
This Russian draft will total 176,000 men, or a little less than during the spring draft campaign.
By 2008 the Russian army will have 150,000 contract servicemen and the term of military service will be cut to one year beginning in 2008. "We will have to think out reduction of deferments, which make us world champions. I'd like the new replacement to the healthier and more intelligent", the defence minister said.
