Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers submits updated bill on amending mobilization rules to parliament

Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers has submitted an updated version of a bill on amending the rules for mobilization to Ukraine's parliament (the Verkhovna Rada), reports the Ukrainian Defense Ministry’s press service.

Among other things, it proposes lowering the minimum draft age from 27 to 25 years, sending electronic draft notices, and replacing compulsory military service with basic general military training.

Ukraine’s Defense Ministry noted that the updated bill establishes a specific service period during martial law. The ministry did not clarify the length. The document also proposes exempting those with disabilities from conscription, giving volunteers a two-month deferment to address personal matters, and offering military personnel returning from captivity 90 days of leave.

The Ukrainian outlet Strana reports that one of the main changes to the new version of the bill is that penalties for draft evaders will be imposed through the court system. In the initial version of the document, they could be enforced directly by regional enlistment offices.