Mobilization of 18-year-olds: Will the age of conscripts in Ukraine decrease?

Mobilization of 18-Year-Olds: Will the Age of Conscripts Decrease in Ukraine?

The White House is pressuring Kyiv to enhance its military capability in the war against Russian aggression. In the U.S., there is a belief that Ukraine should consider lowering the conscription age for its soldiers to 18.

Specifically, the administration of current U.S. President Joe Biden is disappointed by the reluctance of Ukrainian authorities to reduce the mobilization age to 18.

In Ukraine, discussions among politicians on this issue occur daily. TSN.ua has gathered the latest statements from Ukrainian political figures regarding the reduction of the mobilization age in Ukraine.

Difficult Decisions

The United States is considering the possibility of lowering the conscription age in Ukraine to 18.

According to Reuters, Ukraine is currently unable to mobilize and prepare a sufficient number of recruits for deployment to the front.

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stated that the challenges faced by the Armed Forces of Ukraine at the front are not due to a lack of weapons or equipment, but rather a shortage of personnel.

At a press conference in Brussels, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Ukraine would need to make difficult decisions regarding further mobilization to counter Russian aggression.

"Mobilization is crucial because even with money and ammunition, there need to be people at the front to counter Russian aggression. Ukraine must make tough decisions about further mobilization, but these are necessary decisions," said the U.S. Secretary of State.

He also noted that "we have commitments: every person, every soldier that Ukraine mobilizes must undergo training and receive the necessary equipment for effective defense of the country."

The U.S. is Ready to Equip Recruits

If Ukraine lowers the mobilization age to 18, the U.S. has pledged to fully equip the recruits.

As noted by U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller during a daily press briefing on December 9, this position has already been communicated to Kyiv.

"We have discussed with Kyiv the situation unfolding in eastern Ukraine. The decision on the size and composition of the armed forces is made by Ukraine independently. What we can say for sure is that if they want to mobilize more troops, then we and our allies will equip and train them," said Miller.

Mobilization Rates Do Not Cover Losses

According to BBC Ukraine, the current rates of mobilization in Ukraine do not even cover losses.

"It shouldn't just be older individuals fighting. The question is how much longer we can manage with the existing mobilization resources," stated a source from the publication.

So far, neither the General Staff nor the Ministry of Defense has commented on this information.

BBC reminds that to cover losses, military command has decided to optimize army structures. This has allowed for the identification of additional thousands of individuals.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that at present, the focus should be on equipping the existing brigades with technology and training personnel to use this technology.

"The goal should be to preserve as many lives as possible, not to keep weapons in warehouses," emphasized the head of the Ukrainian state.

The Verkhovna Rada Does Not Consider Lowering the Draft Age

In parliament, the relevant committee of the Verkhovna Rada on national security, defense, and intelligence does not consider the issue of reducing the conscription age.

As noted by committee member Fedor Venislavsky, no bills or proposals to amend the age of 25 have been submitted for consideration by the National Security Committee.

Venislavsky also spoke about the forced mobilization of women. According to the MP, women who are liable for military service can only be conscripted voluntarily during mobilization.

"All other statements, including those regarding the forced mobilization of 18-24-year-olds after their completion of basic military service, are manipulations and speculations. This includes statements from some of our colleagues," added Venislavsky.

It should be noted that President's advisor Dmitry Litvin denied any preparations for the mobilization of citizens aged 18 and older.

Military Support for Lowering the Mobilization Age

Ukrainian military personnel are proposing to lower the mobilization age to 20, or even to 18.

Yuri Fedorенко, commander of the strike drones "Achilles" from the 92nd Separate Mechanized Brigade named after the Cossack Ataman Ivan Syryko, stated that all adult Ukrainians—both men and women—should be liable for military service from the age of 18, and that individuals from 23 years old should be fighting at the front.

As Colonel of the Security Service of Ukraine and Secretary of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense, and Intelligence Roman Kostenko notes, the mobilization age should start at 20.

However, Kirill Veres, commander of the K-2 battalion of the 54th Separate Mechanized Brigade, expressed that he is in dire need of personnel but is not ready to accept 18-year-olds en masse into his unit: "An 18-year-old guy is a bit too early for me."

Deputy Commander of the Third Separate Assault Brigade, Major Rodion Kudryashov, made the following statement: "I support lowering the age limit... I believe the age limit can be reduced to 21 inclusive."

The military noted that the enemy cannot be defeated solely by numbers; "quality" is also essential.

Ukrainian Legislators Propose a Compromise

Due to pressure from the U.S., there are proposals in Ukraine to lower the mobilization age to 20.

As reported by The Washington Post, U.S. officials warn that the personnel shortage in the Ukrainian army is currently more critical than the shortage of weapons.

In particular, the publication recalled how President Zelensky has repeatedly stated that his newly formed brigades lack sufficient weapons. Those fighting on the front lines complain that their units are under-staffed while trying to fend off a much larger Russian force.

The Washington Post quoted the commander of the "Achilles" battalion of the 92nd Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Yuri Fedorенко, who suggested that even in peacetime, all men and women should begin mandatory military service at 18.

“We must tell the Ukrainian people today: friends, starting next year, everyone is subject to conscription. This decision is not popular—oh, everyone must serve—but on the other hand, if you violate it, this decision allows us to act preventively to prevent war,” he said.

At the same time, Ukrainian legislators are proposing other compromises, namely to lower the conscription age to 20 instead of 18.

Specifically, MP Roman Kostenko stated in an interview that his American colleagues often ask him to explain why younger individuals are not being drafted, and he has no good explanation.

Ukrainians Should Join the Army Voluntarily

The head of the analytical department of the "Come Back Alive" initiative center, Anton Muraveynik, commented on information in Western media about the U.S. urging Ukrainian leadership to lower the mobilization age to 18.

Muraveynik noted that it is very hypocritical for partners to demand this,” he said in an interview with Suspilne.

According to the expert, this position of the U.S. serves as a justification for its reluctance to increase the level of assistance to Ukraine and its engagement in the conflict.

“For some reason, they either do not know or do not want to know that the level of their assistance directly influences people's willingness to join the army. And that’s why they say: let’s lower that. Otherwise, we don’t see Ukraine taking steps towards us. We are helping you, but you are not ready to make any unpopular decisions,” noted the head of the analytical department.

As Muraveynik pointed out, citizens of Ukraine aged 18 to 25 can join the military voluntarily.