Ukraine Reduces Combat Call-Up Age to Replenish Its Military Reserve
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed into law a bill lowering the military mobilization age by two years from 27 to 25.
The move will allow Ukraine to call up more people to replenish its reserves, after volunteer numbers dropped.
Mr. Zelensky said in December that 500,000 more soldiers were needed.
Although the bill was voted through by MPS in May 2023, it did not come into force because Mr. Zelensky did not sign it.
In February, Mr. Zelensky said 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed since the start of the war, but US officials have put the number of Ukrainian soldiers killed as at least 70,000 and as many as 120,000 injured.
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Russia was pushing on the battlefield in Ukraine and trying to win the war by waiting us out, he said.
It was not immediately clear what prompted President Zelensky to approve a law to lower the age of mobilisation, although he has previously warned of plans Russia may have to launch a spring or summer offensive this year.
His decision could signify Ukraine’s effort to build up strong defensive fortifications in preparation for a Russian offensive.
Ukrainian forces had hoped to take back swathes of territory gained by Russia as well as cutting off Russian supply lines to Crimea.
But lacking air superiority and faced with formidable Russian defences, Kyiv’s counter-offensive ground to a halt at the start of winter and there are fears that Russian forces could outgun Ukraine.
