President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday April 16 signed off on the mobilization draft law that Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada adopted on April 11, the parliament website announced.
Earlier in the day, Verkhovna Rada Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk signed the bill, before forwarding it to Zelensky, whose signature effectively brings the new law into force.
The move is meant to address Ukraine's urgent need for additional troops as the war with Russia entered its third year and has taken a heavy toll on the country's military resources.
The law establishes that all men aged 18-60 years are required to update their status either at military enlistment offices or through online accounts.
The law abolishes conscription and instead introduces basic military training – five months during peacetime, and three months during war – to avoid cases of underprepared men being sent to the front as cannon fodder.
It also provides for voluntary military recruitment, so Ukrainians who want to join the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) will have the opportunity to choose the unit they will serve in, which is meant to enable soldiers with special skills, such as IT or languages, to be put to better use.
After three months of wrangling, most of the bill’s 4,300 amendments were rejected. In the days leading up to the vote, one major amendment – the right to demobilization after a prescribed period of 36-months – was rejected.
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The law also provides for a range of sanctions against “evaders.” For example, Ukrainians living abroad will not be able to renew their passport or receive consular services without being in possession of military registration documents.
Citizens violating the rules of military registration during martial law can receive a fine from Hr.17,000 to Hr.25,500 ($400 to $600), and enterprises or government officials from Hr.34,000 to Hr.59,500 ($900 to $1,500).
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Comments (3)
So, to be clear, these men 18-60 years who update (and if qualified) are going to be trained for 3 months and given the option to volunteer to the type of job they are best suited for?
OR: Will all of these updated and trained for 3 months actually STAY in the military until the war is over?
What are the provisions for women, if any?
I suspect 2 years into the war, the best trainers of these new recruits are now the seasoned Ukrainian soldiers familiar with the specific nature of this enemy..perhaps even those once wounded and no longer directly engaged in battle could have a valuable role if teaching the recruits the life saving / strategic essentials.
What would be nice if allied forces could free up other seasoned russian fighters temporarily rotated away from the front to Ukraine's non hot spot areas...like those protecting the Belarus / Transinistra borders. The seasoned Ukrainian soldiers could then be reassigned to provide training to the newbies. They will have their respect and language will not be an issue. Perhaps at the end of their rotation they can lead their new trainees back to more active areas.
The exception would be if training was on the most effective use and maintenance of new western weapons. Then the NATO forces would be more appropriate.
do everything you can to give good training to new soldiers!
@Sasha, and put the right soldiers or volunteers in the right positions suitable for their particular skills and qualifications ...
Gradually improving and developing better outlook ...
May peace and prosperity vome sooner than later though