Zelenskyy signs bill lowering mobilization age to 25

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has approved a bill reducing the mobilization age for combat duty from 27 to 25, aiming to bolster Ukraine’s military strength in its war with Russia.

The bill is expected to increase the number of civilians joining the military to fight against Russian occupiers during the ongoing martial law, which took effect in February 2022.

The news surfaced after an official document appeared on the Ukrainian parliament website, indicating that the bill had been submitted to the Verkhovna Rada with the president’s signature. Consequently, based on this information, the law officially came into force.

According to the explanatory note, individuals eligible for military service were previously mobilized if they reached the age of 18 before their deployment to military units as well as individuals under 27 years without the right to exemption or deferment from conscription. However, citizens who reached the age of 27 during their registration as conscripts were also subject to military registration.

The authors of the document believe that during the martial law in Ukraine, there is no need for citizens under 27 years to remain on military registration as conscripts.

It is expected that the implementation of the law will regulate the issue of replenishing the mobilization human reserve by enrolling conscripted citizens who reach the age of 25 during their registration as conscripts.

As reported, on 30 May, 2023, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the law “On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On Military Duty and Military Service” (No. 9281), which was supported by 304 deputies. This law envisages reducing the maximum age for conscription registration from 27 to 25 years.

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