Russia adds 427,000 soldiers in 2024 but faces force reduction as monthly casualties exceed 40,000 troops, despite ongoing mobilization and wartime economy transition.
A converted shipping container in Ukraine's capital houses an unlikely solution to military recruitment: a drone training program so popular it turns away qualified applicants while other units struggle to fill their ranks.
Ukraine finalizes military reform offering financial incentives and training guarantees to attract 18-25 year olds, addressing mobilization challenges with new recruitment model.
The Foreign Minister of Poland Radoslaw Sikorski said on 31 May in Prague that Poland plans to train troops from Ukrainian citizens living in Poland and subject to conscription into the Ukrainian army.
A proposal by Ukraine to repatriate its male citizens aged 18 to 60 currently living overseas has found backing from top Lithuanian officials, with President Nauseda stating that Vilnius must cooperate with Kyiv "in all senses."
Among the slogans on the placards were, "Mr. President, it's time to thank the military by setting fair service terms," "Volunteered once, enlisted for life," "A day at war does not equal a day in civilian life."
The US State Department has called the suspension of consular services abroad for Ukrainian men of mobilization age a “complicated issue”, but acknowledges that Ukraine has the right to determine its policy.
While aiming to bolster the country's defense, the long-awaited law betrays frontline soldiers by omitting key provisions for troop rotation and demobilization
In a disturbing violation of human rights, Russia is forcibly deporting Ukrainian teenagers, attempting to conscript them into the Russian armed forces.
Russia bids to cut mobilization drives by introducing a draft law to hike age limits on military contracts from 51 to 65 for troops and to 70 for officers, binding them for life service, per UK intelligence.
Russia ceased polemical short term recruitment of prisoners for the military in September 2023, transitioning to offering standardized long term conscription contracts until mobilization ends, per UK intelligence.
Ukraine's Defense Minister, Rustem Umerov, urges Ukrainian men residing in foreign countries, aged 25 to 60, to enlist in the military in 2024. Sanctions are being discussed for those who refuse.