The contents of a proposed legislative document, made available on Ukraine's parliamentary website late on Monday, outline a suggested reduction in the age threshold for individuals eligible for mobilization into combat duty from 27 to 25 years.
This potential modification emerges against the backdrop of Ukraine's ongoing 22-month battle against Russia, marked by recent exchanges of claims between the two nations regarding downed military aircraft and territorial control in eastern Ukraine's regional center, Maryinka.
The detailed text of the draft law specifies the criteria for Ukrainian citizens subject to conscription for military registration, stipulating that this would encompass individuals "who have reached the age of 25."
In an explanatory note accompanying the draft law and signed by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, key provisions are summarized, highlighting the proposed "change of conscription age from 27 to 25 years."
During his year-end news conference on December 19, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed that the military had suggested mobilizing an additional 4.5 to 5 lakh Ukrainians. However, he emphasized the sensitivity of this matter and indicated that further discussions between the military and the government would precede any decision to present the proposal to parliament.
Zelenskyy, who has not publicly endorsed the proposal, expressed the need for more arguments in favor of mobilizing additional personnel, acknowledging the significant nature of the suggested numerical increase. The exact troop numbers in Ukraine are undisclosed, but previous estimates suggested around one million individuals in arms. U.S. officials have approximated that hundreds of thousands have been killed and wounded since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, although neither country publicly released casualty figures.
David Arakhamia, the head of Zelenskyy's party in parliament, clarified that the bill was being developed in response to the military's request and was scheduled for introduction on Monday. Stressing the military's need for resolution, he highlighted society's desire for answers to pertinent questions through a post on the Telegram messaging app.
