Men are conscripted into the Armed forces of Ukraine at age 25. [1]
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After serving out the term of service Ukraine's conscripts become part of the inactive reserve and are eligible to be recalled for mobilization in Ukraine until they reach age 55, age 60 for officers. During the war in Donbas, Ukraine instated a partial mobilization to fill needed positions in its armed forces, recalling conscripts who have served before, because of the war many conscripts have also been forced to serve longer than their original 18-month term of service. [2] It was planned that in 2015 Ukraine would undergo three waves of partial mobilization, this would have allowed new troops to replace those serving longer than their original term of service. [3]
All medical workers in Ukraine, regardless of gender, are eligible to be called up for service in case of a national emergency.[ citation needed ]
Draft dodging is present in Ukraine, as with most nations using the draft. It was reported that between April and August 2014, over 1,000 criminal inquires into draft evasion were opened in Ukraine. [4] Draft evasion can be problematic because, unless a male citizen was unable to serve for medical reasons, an application to receive an international passport of Ukraine may be denied due to a lack of military service, thus preventing the individual from traveling abroad. [5]
In April 2024, President Zelensky signed new conscription laws, passed by the national legislature, that lowered the conscription age by two years, from 27 to 25, and made other provisions that would make it easier for the government to conscript eligible persons, and harder for draft dodgers to evade conscription. The laws were controversial, and largely unpopular. Objections included complaints from families of active service personnel who resented that the laws did not ultimately include an initially considered provision to allow soldiers who had served for 36 months in combat to be relieved and returned home. However, the battle conditions—with Russia advancing with overwhelming force—made it impractical, in the view of Ukraine's leaders, to remove any experienced, active troops from service. Officials pledged the relief provision would be considered in future legislation, without stating when. [6] [7]