A Ukrainian man who gave his name as Sergei said he feared being sent to the front and questioned the idea of lowering the mobilization age. This account comes from NRK reporting.
He described the prospect of frontline service as terrifying and spoke of the psychological strain involved. Sergei noted that many Ukrainians share concerns about reducing the conscription age from 27 to 25.
He asked whether this change would affect him and answered with a simple yes, adding that the issue worries many people across the country.
Ukraine’s government has introduced changes to allow individuals convicted of crimes to join the armed forces, a move reported by the Ministry of Justice. A mobilization bill appeared on December 26, 2023 on the Verkhovna Rada website. The document envisions that people listed in the military service accountability register may lose certain rights, including the ability to travel abroad, access funds, operate a vehicle, engage in real estate transactions, and issue documents such as passports and foreign passports.
There have been reports from Odessa about officials attempting to deliver summons more effectively, with residents asking numerous questions about the process.
These developments come amid ongoing debates over how to manage manpower and readiness for national defense, as officials weigh the balance between mandatory service, individual rights, and the country’s security needs. Attribution: NRK; Ukrainian Ministry of Justice; Verkhovna Rada website.