Ukrainian President Warns of Massive Army Mobilization as Russian Troop Numbers Rise

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi warned last month that the army was looking to mobilize up to half a million people to fight the roughly 600,000 Russian troops brought into Ukraine.

The draft law, presented by the government in December, aims to increase the penalties for those who avoid conscription and lower the age of military service from 27 to 25. It also provides for a reduced mandatory military service period from unlimited to 36 months.

The bill has drawn criticism from the public and politicians. “Several conditions directly violate human rights, some are not optimally formulated,” said the leader of the ruling party, Davids Arahamia, after a closed meeting with the leadership of the Ukrainian army.

“We understand the demands of the army leadership and are ready to fulfill them. However, not all provisions can be supported,” he said, adding that the bill has been sent back to the government.

As Russian troops increase pressure and troop numbers on the frontline, Ukraine, which has an army of around 850,000, is trying to increase its manpower.

Kyiv does not disclose its losses in the war, but independent estimates put the number of fallen soldiers in the tens of thousands.

2024-01-11 15:10:42
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