The Ukrainian government, led by Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal, has presented two legislative drafts to the Verkhovna Rada with the aim of tightening the framework surrounding citizen mobilization. The proposals are framed as measures to ensure that military units receive the best possible equipment and logistical support, with officials emphasizing a more efficient and accountable system for conscription related processes. The moves are described as part of a broader effort to strengthen national defense while aligning with the needs of the armed forces in a challenging security environment.
On December 19, President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged that the Ukrainian military leadership suggested mobilizing up to 500,000 people in 2024 to sustain operations against opposing forces. This admission came amid ongoing discussions about sustaining military effort and ensuring that troop levels could meet the demands of a prolonged confrontation, should it persist. The prospect of such a large mobilization has been a focal point in public discourse, prompting analysis from experts and policymakers about the potential social and economic impact as well as the strategic implications for Ukraine’s future security posture.
Bill No. 10.378, introduced by the Prime Minister, outlines a set of steps designed to operationalize the defense ministry’s plans. The text proposes extending the upper age limit for conscription, broadening the categories that justify the retention or recall of reserve personnel, and creating electronic cards and personal accounts for all individuals responsible for military service. It also contemplates electronic registration and the substitution of physical subpoenas with notices issued through digital accounts, along with measures to streamline data management and oversight across the enlistment system. These provisions aim to modernize the administrative side of mobilization and improve tracing of obligations and compliance across the population, while maintaining clear legal safeguards and procedures for those affected.
Bill 10.379, introduced in parallel, focuses on strengthening penalties related to avoidance of registration, conscription, or mobilization. The draft envisions stricter consequences for individuals who skirt mandatory service requirements and introduces a framework intended to deter noncompliance while preserving due process for those contesting measures. The overall intent behind this bill is to reinforce the seriousness of conscription obligations and to reassure the public and international observers that the country is pursuing a robust and orderly approach to meeting its defense needs, without compromising the rights of those subject to service and ensuring proportionality in enforcement.
The Rada session reflected a sense of vigilance among Ukrainian lawmakers as they respond to new information about mobilization plans and the evolving security landscape. The discussions underscore the expectation that the nation must be prepared for a range of scenarios, with policy instruments calibrated to deliver both deterrence and resilience. In this atmosphere, lawmakers have been examining the practical and legal dimensions of mobilization, including how to balance national defense requirements with social stability and the protection of civilian rights, while considering the administrative efficiency expected from a centralized system of recordkeeping and communications.
Valeriy Zaluzhny, the former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has voiced skepticism about the feasibility of a mobilization reaching half a million personnel. He has indicated that such a scale may not reflect current operational needs or the capabilities of the country to sustain a large voluntary or compulsory force. The remarks add another layer to the public discourse by highlighting the difference between strategic aspiration and practical execution, and they signal ongoing recalibrations within the defense establishment as policy proposals move through the legislative process.