Ukraine wants to lower the age for mobilization from 27 to 25 years and strict sanctions for those who do not pass on data | War Ukraine and Russia

The bill detailed which Ukrainian citizens would have to register for military service and that it would apply to those “who have reached the age of 25.”

An explanatory note signed by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov summarized the main provisions of the bill, saying it included the “change in the conscription age from 27 to 25 years.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksy told his year-end news conference on December 19 that the military had proposed mobilizing 450,000 to 500,000 additional Ukrainians, but that it was a “very sensitive” issue that the military and government would discuss before deciding whether to would send the proposal to parliament.

Zelensky, who has not yet publicly supported the proposal, also said he wanted to hear more arguments to mobilize additional people. “This is a very serious number,” he said at the time.

A second bill sets out strict sanctions for those who do not provide their details to the military register. This includes the seizure of cars, the freezing of accounts or the forfeiture of the right to a loan. Anyone who ignores a call from the army may receive a prison sentence instead of a fine.

The bills still have to be voted on by parliament and can still be amended. In addition, President Zelensky can still veto.

The exact number of Ukrainian soldiers deployed in the fight against Russia is unknown. In the past it has been said that Ukraine has approximately 1 million people under arms.

US officials estimate that hundreds of thousands have been killed and wounded since Russia decided to invade Ukraine in February 2022. Neither country publishes figures on the number of victims.

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