Ukraine's army urgently needs 500,000 new soldiers to hold off Russian troops in the east. With a new mobilization law, Kyiv now ups the ante on men fit for military service to sign up.

Kyiv

Ukraine is intensifying efforts to bolster its military ranks amid ongoing conflict, implementing a new mobilization law targeting men aged 18 to 60 to register for potential army service. This new regulation, necessitated by the urgent need for 500,000 additional soldiers to counter Russian forces in the east, also brings about significant implications for those who dodge the draft. Non-registration under the new law results in severe restrictions, stripping men of basic civil rights, including employment and housing opportunities.

At conscription centers, men line up, some for multiple attempts at registration, expressing concerns over potential chaos mirrored in the military based on their experiences. The law mandates not only registration but also that men carry specific paperwork at all times to avoid penalties. Amid these changes, some young men choose voluntary early enlistment, attracted by the prospect of selecting their preferred unit rather than being assigned by the state.

However, the legislation's impact isn't merely about bolstering military numbers; it's also sparking debates over legal and ethical boundaries. Legal experts and advocates question the restrictions on rights imposed by the new measures, particularly regarding access to education and healthcare services for those failing to register. Critics argue that these conditions could further strain civilian lives amidst the war's hardships.

Veteran voices provide a sober reminder of the war’s realities and the evolving public sentiment towards military service. Acknowledging a shift from the initial assumption of a swift victory, the emphasis is now on collective responsibility in defending Ukraine, underlining the government's call for more men to join the fight.



Ukrainian men face consequences for draft dodging

Sign up, or face the consequences. The queues at this conscription centre are orderly, but the men here say the process itself is not. For some, it's their second or third attempt, and they've come prepared for a long wait. If I have to register, I'll do it. And if I get called up into army service, I'll go. But look at the problems. We've been trying to register here. If there's no order here, what must it be like in the army? Ukraine's new mobilisation rules mean that all 18 to 60-year-olds must register and carry paperwork with them. Those who don't will be punished. Many here are wary of the new policy, so they want to remain anonymous. Men who don't register will lose all their rights. We won't be able to do anything officially, get a job, rent a house. Men without the right papers will have no rights in Ukraine. This is where Ukrainian men have to register to be on the mobilisation list to potentially be called into war. According to officials of the armed forces, Ukraine's military needs at least 500,000 more soldiers. The government says this registration drive will help speed up the recruitment process. The new law also lowers the conscription age from 27 to 25. That's encouraged some young men to volunteer early. Doing so means they can choose a unit instead of being assigned one by the state. My main motivation is to help the people who are defending our country, to replace the guys who need arrest after more than two hard years. I want to destroy the enemy and defend our country. But it's not always so simple. This lawyer gets around 30 calls a day from men trying to get a draft deferment. These are calls from those who are entitled to a deferment and do not know how to submit the documents correctly. The question is not how to evade military service. He questions the legality of the restrictions on men's rights that the new law imposes on men who fail to register. I believe that the right to education cannot be restricted even during war. The new rules state that people could in some cases be denied medical services if they don't register at a conscription office. I think that's not right. The new law does not provide for demobilization. Families had been hoping for a three-year time limit for those serving at the front. Many are fatigued or injured. Two years into war, the assumption that Ukraine would win within a couple of months has disappeared, says veteran Alexander Batalov. Now others must fight. People thought that someone else would fight for them. They thought the army was so powerful that it could deal with everything. They fight and they don't get tired. The country just put the responsibility on the army. Now you must do your duty. Because everyone wants rights, but no one wants responsibilities. The state gives one thing and demands the other. Right now, the state is demanding more young men stand up for their country.

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Paris

Paris Olympics

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