On Thursday, Ukrainian lawmakers approved an army mobilization bill to increase troop numbers against Russia, following the removal of a clause allowing long-serving soldiers to return home from the front. The legislation aims to streamline army recruitment but has faced backlash in a country worn out by years of conflict with Moscow’s forces. The bill was passed with 283 votes in favor and includes tougher penalties for draft dodgers, as the Ukrainian military grapples with setbacks from a failed 2023 counter-offensive and a lack of crucial US military aid.
President Volodymyr Zelensky recently lowered the mobilization age from 27 to 25 due to a shortage of soldiers to combat Russian forces. However, a provision allowing soldiers who have served for 36 months to demobilize was removed at the army’s request. Zelensky must still sign the mobilization law for it to take effect, a process that previously took nearly a year for a similar bill. The Ukrainian military is reportedly in need of reinforcements following significant losses, further complicating the country’s security situation.
