President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed draft law No. 13229, allowing Ukrainian citizens aged 60 and over to serve in the military under contract.
According to the Verkhovna Rada website, the law was returned with the president’s signature on Tuesday, July 29. Parliament had passed the legislation on Wednesday, July 16.
The law applies exclusively to volunteers – there is no provision for compulsory service in this age group.
Under the updated Law “On Military Duty and Military Service,” citizens aged 60+ can now enlist under contract during martial law, provided they are deemed medically fit by a military commission and have written consent from a unit commander.
Those wishing to serve as officers must also have their candidacy approved by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) or another authorized military body. The procedure for such approvals and required documentation will be determined by those same military authorities.
Once accepted, a two-month probationary period applies. If during this time a recruit is found unfit for service, the contract is terminated early.
There is no upper age limit for this category. During martial law, contracts are signed for one year and can be renewed annually. However, if martial law ends, the contracts are automatically terminated and the servicemen dismissed accordingly.
In a 2024 interview with Ukrainska Pravda, Roman Kostenko, Secretary of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security, Defense, and Intelligence – and a 40-year-old SBU colonel fighting in southern Ukraine – remarked that the average age of Ukrainian soldiers exceeds 40, and may be closer to 45.
“Of course, this isn’t official data, but it reflects what I see on the battlefield,” he said.
Meanwhile, Western allies have long pushed for Ukraine to lower the conscription age to 18.
One such effort to rejuvenate the military ranks is the Armed Forces’ recruitment initiative targeting 18- to 24-year-olds, which began on Feb. 11.
The program offers lucrative benefits to young volunteers, including a signing bonus of Hr.200,000 (around $4,880), a base monthly salary of $2,900, and additional combat and hardship pay.
Recruits also receive free housing, medical and dental care, and are permitted to travel abroad after one year of service.
After demobilization, participants are eligible for 0% interest state-backed housing loans, free or subsidized higher education, and discounts on utilities.
According to Defense Ministry spokesperson Dmytro Lazutkin, the campaign drew nearly 10,000 applications in its first week. By mid-March, receiving units had posted images of incoming recruits – typically groups of 10 to 20 men.
Recruits undergo two months of basic training followed by two to four weeks of specialist training with their assigned units.