Ukraine, in Need of Troops, Lowers Age of Conscription – WSJ

Ukraine lowered the age of military conscription to 25 as part of an effort to bolster its depleted armed forces after two years of fighting Russia s invasion and facing renewed assaults. 

The controversial bill, which President Volodymyr Zelensky signed into law on Tuesday, is the most significant overhaul of Ukraine s war bureaucracy since Russia s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

Men between 18 and 60 have been prohibited from leaving the country since the start of the war, but only those who were at least 27 were eligible to be drafted. Zelensky s backers and some opponents said the bill had been delayed because it was unpopular.

The change comes as Ukraine s defensive lines come under heavy pressure from massive Russian assaults. Front-line commanders say they are short of personnel and ammunition, as a supplemental aid package is stuck in Congress. Ukrainian officers say they are expecting Russia to mount a significant offensive around the start of the summer, which is aimed at expanding the nearly 20% of territory the invading forces already occupy.

via www.wsj.com