Ukraine , Lowers Its Draft Age.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed legislation to lower Ukraine's draft age
from 27 to 25, 'The Guardian' reports.
The bill comes as Ukraine's military forces have dwindled amid its ongoing conflict with Russia.
The country, which is back on the
defensive after failing to mount a successful assault over the summer, can now mobilize more civilians to fight under martial law.
According to the 'Financial Times,' only about
3.7 million men out of 11.1 million between the
ages of 25 and 60 are eligible to be drafted. .
The remaining men are either "fighting, disabled, out of the country or considered critical workers," 'The Guardian' reports.
Zelensky signed another bill requiring those
who were given disability waivers to be reassessed, which could result in more fighters being drafted. .
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW),
a U.S. thinktank, said that while Ukraine's
new draft age will help to bolster efforts.
delays in military aid from the U.S.
"may impact the speed at which Ukraine can restore degraded and stand up new units.".
ISW continues to assess that
Western-provided materiel continues
to be the greatest deciding factor
for the Ukrainian military’s ability to
restore and augment its combat power, ISW, via 'The Guardian'.
On April 2, Russia's defense ministry
said that 100,000 more recruits
have joined its army so far in 2024