In November last year President Joe Biden’s Administration urged Ukraine to quickly increase the size of its military by drafting more troops including 18 year olds and revamp its mobilization laws which restricted drafting of people under 25 years of age. It it has long been clear to any observer that Ukraine was being swamped by the only advantage Russia seemingly has in the war now … endless hordes of Russian(N Korean) mobiks constantly assaulting Ukrainian defensive lines 24/7. No question more Ukrainian soldiers are needed.
US urges Ukraine to lower fighting age to 18 to bolster ranks against Russia
www.reuters.com/...
But politics being politics everywhere, President Zelensky initially resisted the idea even while acknowledging that his country’s manpower situation was difficult. Nevertheless, the practical imperatives soon forced Zelensky to begin putting into place the legislative mechanisms to change the draft laws. It just had to be done, however politically fraught the decision might be. As Zelensky himself said yesterday, Putin and Russia are intent on expanding their war effort including adding another 100,000 soldiers:
"This means one simple thing: Putin is not preparing for negotiations or peace, but for the continuation of war - not only against us, against Ukraine. They are now increasing their army by more than 100,000 soldiers.
global.espreso.tv/...
To add more push to get the Ukrainians to change their draft laws, the then incoming Trump team forcefully underscored what the Biden Administration has suggested:
Following a reported push from the Biden administration in late 2024, Mike Waltz - President-elect Donald Trump’s NSA pick - is now advocating publicly that Ukraine lower its draft age to 18, “Their draft age right now is 26 years old, not 18 ... They could generate hundreds of thousands of new soldiers," he told ABC This Week on Sunday.
Ukraine needs to "be all in for democracy," said Waltz.
responsiblestatecraft.org/...
And so it is that today word came that the soon to be announced new Ukrainian military recruitment law will provide an attractive inducement package to young volunteers and is “designed for those who want to join. It is not a mobilization”(emphasis mine):
Ukraine Introduces Special One-Year Military Contract for 18-24-Year-Olds, Says Zelenskyy
According to Zelenskyy, the Ministry of Defense, in collaboration with experienced combat brigades, is working on the details of this contract, which is expected to offer significant financial incentives and benefits.
“This contract is designed for those who want to join. It is not a mobilization,” Zelenskyy stated. “It will include numerous benefits and a highly competitive financial package.”
united24media.com/...
More here:
x
One-year contract for youth: housing, free education & high salary. Young people (18–24) can receive an interest-free housing loan, free education, and high pay once they enlist. The program will be unveiled next week, says Zelensky.
— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) 2025-02-08T13:39:57.284Z
Here’s hoping that Ukraine, through this new recruitment scheme can indeed realize not only what President Biden suggested but also stabilize Ukraine’s man power requirements by creating a rotational force of 300, 000 to 800, 000 for the current war and for future protection against renewed threats:
Ukraine has potential to mobilize from 300,000 to 800,000 volunteers – study
"It is important to understand that this is not just statistics. In-depth interviews show that people are ready to defend the country, but they need clear rules of the game and the opportunity to combine service with civilian life. Partial military service can become the social contract that is so lacking now," said Yuriy Honcharenko, head of InfoLight.UA.
According to experts, the implementation of the reform will ensure regular rotation of troops, maintain the economic activity of the mobilized, reduce social tension and create a reliable reserve for the country's defense(emphasis mine).
en.interfax.com.ua/...
ADAPTIVE INDOMITABLE UKRAINE … doing whatever it takes and whatever needs doing.
SLAVA UKRAINI !
