Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a bill into law creating an alternative to military service for conscientious objectors.

Candidates will first have to convince a military board of their eligibility, and then do a minimum of three years civilian service, compared with two years in the military.

Putin has pledged to eventually abolish the draft

The alternative service is expected to involve largely menial jobs, often for the armed forces.

The move has been supported by human rights advocates, but critics say the unappealing terms mean that young men are still denied a proper alternative.

The new measure has already been passed by both houses of Russia's parliament.

Military hardships

The right to opt for an alternative to military service was enshrined in Russia's 1993 constitution, but has largely been ignored in practice.

Russian men are expected to spend two years in the army, but tales of bullying and appalling conditions in the cash-strapped armed forces made it an unattractive prospect for many.

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The military has long resisted any form of alternative service, fearing it would cause its ranks to dwindle.

The pool of new recruits is already shrinking - although all men aged 18 to 27 are eligible, fewer than half actually serve.

Many obtain exemptions for higher education, are declared unfit to serve or pay bribes to officials.

Reform pledge

Alternative service has been hailed as a symbolic step in reforming Russia's conscription system, but liberals say that the form of service set out in the bill is little better than serving in the ranks.

The conscientious objectors must do up to three and a half years of alternative service, compared to 24 months for regular conscripts.

They may also be required to serve outside their home region.

The service is likely to involve doing menial jobs for the military or working as hospital orderlies or carers in orphanages, though this has not been made explicit by the law.

Mr Putin has pledged to eventually abolish the draft and transform the Russian army from a conscript into a professional fighting force.