Ukraine Extends Soldier Service Amid Russian Invasion: Latest Updates and Controversy

The issue of recruiting soldiers is particularly sensitive in Ukraine.

The decree affects soldiers whose service was supposed to end before February 24, 2022, but it was extended due to the Russian invasion.

On the day of the Russian invasion, February 24, 2022, martial law was declared in Ukraine. Authorities did not say how many soldiers had their service extended as a result.

Zelensky said in his daily address to the nation that it would take “a few weeks” to complete the process, but that demobilization would take place “from April.”

Those subject to it will join the reservists, but will also be able to choose to remain in the army.

“I know that some of them have already signed a contract for service in the armed forces,” Zelensky said, without specifying the number of such soldiers.

The issue of recruiting soldiers to replace soldiers worn out by two years of war has become a politically and socially complex issue.

Despite the need to update the troops at the front, it is difficult for Kyiv to find volunteers.

The issue comes at a time when the army is short of ammunition and under pressure from advancing Russian troops at the front.

In February, the Ukrainian parliament passed a bill on the promotion of conscription in the first reading so that the country could replace physically and psychologically exhausted soldiers.

The draft law, which may still be changed, proposes lowering the mobilization age from 27 to 25 years and limiting the duration of wartime service to 36 months.

2024-03-08 05:40:53
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