Medvedev said Friday the conscripts’ share will be brought down to 10-20 percent in the next five-seven years with volunteers accounting for the rest.

The pledge to reduce the widely unpopular draft appears to be part of campaigning for Dec. 4 parliamentary elections, in which Medvedev leads the list of the ruling United Russia party.

Medvedev’s statement also reflects demographical problems that have made it increasingly difficult for the military to recruit a sufficient number of draftees.

Russian men between the ages of 18 and 27 are eligible for one-year draft, but most avoid it by signing up for college, being excused for health reasons or simply paying bribes.