Some 1,600 young Danes began their military service on Monday for 11 months -- a nearly three-fold increase in duration -- as a consequence of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Among them was the country's Princess Isabella, 19, who joined as a conscript at at the Guard Hussar Regiment at Antvorskov Barracks in Slagelse. Denmark, a NATO member state, decided in 2024 to extend the length of its military service from four months and to open it up to women. In Denmark, conscription is largely voluntary, and if there are not enough recruits others are selected by lottery. Advertisement AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementIn its new form, military service also involves an expansion of the missions conscripts are called upon to carry out.