Russia has halted its citizens’ preliminary mobilization for the war in Ukraine.

Russia ended the contentious conscription that caused widespread outrage when it said that it had finished the “partial mobilization” of hundreds of thousands of residents to fight in the nation’s war against Ukraine.

The Russian Ministry of Defense has stated that “all activities related to conscription for military service” as well as all partial mobilization procedures, including summons deliveries, have been paused. The ministry further stated in a statement that as of right now, the nation will only welcome volunteers and contractors.

Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, declared the mobilization in late September following a major Russian defeat in the Ukrainian war. Officials declared that as of, the draft’s goal of recruiting 300,000 people had been reached last week.