Ukraine has lowered its draft-eligible age for men from 27 to 25 in an effort to strengthen its military forces, which have been depleted by more than two years of war with Russia. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed three bills into law to bolster the country’s military, including removing some draft exemptions and creating an online registry for recruits. The new laws could potentially add around 50,000 troops to the military, a fraction of the 500,000 additional troops initially sought by Zelenskyy. An audit revealed that the 500,000 figure was incorrect, and existing troops could be reassigned from the rear to the front lines.
Conscription has been a contentious issue in Ukraine, especially as the country faces shortages of infantry and ammunition that have given Russia the upper hand in the conflict. The average age of soldiers on both sides is over 40, and concerns have been raised about the impact of taking more young adults out of the workforce. Ukrainian Defense Ministry statistics show nearly 800,000 troops in October, with a total of 1 million Ukrainians in uniform, including those serving on the front lines. The Russian military has also seen a recent surge in enlistments, attributing it to public outrage over a recent attack in Moscow.
The decision to lower the draft age has faced opposition from some, including a Kyiv mother who fears for the safety of her son and others who are unwilling to fight. However, others, like a 37-year-old soldier who has been fighting since 2014, believe that new troops are necessary to continue the defense of Ukraine. Despite concerns about the impact on the economy and workforce, the government watchdog analyst estimates that only around 50,000 out of half a million men ages 25 to 27 would actually join the ranks. The move to lower the draft age is a signal that Ukraine is acknowledging the reality of a prolonged war of attrition.
While Zelenskyy initially hoped for a speedy resolution to the conflict, he now recognizes the ongoing challenge posed by Russian aggression, with Putin’s sights set not just on Ukraine but on the United States and its presence in Eastern Europe. Public support for the war remains high in Ukraine, but many men are finding ways to avoid the draft, either by hiding at home or attempting to bribe their way out of military service. As Russia’s population dwarfs that of Ukraine, Putin has shown a willingness to enforce conscription if necessary to bolster his forces. The situation remains fluid, as Ukraine braces for a potential escalation of hostilities in the coming months.
