(Dan Tri) – To increase the force fighting Russia in the war of attrition, Ukraine has decided to lower the mobilization age.
Ukrainian soldiers during a training exercise (Photo: Reuters).
President Volodymyr Zelensky on April 2 signed a law to reduce the age of mobilization to participate in combat from 27 to 25, a move that will help Kiev have more strength in resources in the war that has lasted more than 25 months with Russia.
This bill has been presented to Mr. Zelensky since it was approved by parliament in May 2023.
The latest move will help increase the number of Ukrainian civilians the military can mobilize to fight under martial law, which has been in place since Russia launched its military campaign in February 2022.
The Ukrainian army is at a disadvantage on the battlefield, facing a shortage of soldiers and ammunition.
Mr. Zelensky’s signing of the above bill into law has not been announced by the presidential office.
Last winter, Mr. Zelensky said he would only sign the bill if he received convincing arguments about the need to do so.
Mr. Zelensky said in December 2023 that the army proposed mobilizing up to 500,000 additional recruits into the armed forces.
Since then, Ukraine has changed heads of the armed forces and the new leader, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said last week that the figure of 500,000 had been `significantly reduced` after Kiev reviewed resources.
In addition to the law lowering the mobilization age, Mr. Zelensky on April 2 also signed a second law requiring men exempt from military service for health reasons to undergo an additional medical evaluation.
He also signed a law aimed at creating an online database of people eligible for military service.
Mr. Zelensky has warned that Russia could be planning another attack later this spring or summer, and Ukraine’s military is stepping up efforts to build strong defensive fortifications along the broad front line.
Previously, Ukrainian officials repeatedly admitted that military recruitment was becoming difficult because of psychological fatigue caused by the war.
Ukraine announced a general mobilization order immediately after the start of the conflict with Russia in February 2022.
However, Ukraine’s military recruitment campaign has faced a number of negative developments and draft evasion.
In recent times, Ukrainian officials have increased their efforts to find more recruits for the frontline forces, going directly to gyms, shopping centers, restaurants and public places to issue summons.
This measure is controversial because it is quite tough, but Ukraine believes this is necessary for them to maintain their ability to fight against Russia.
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