Law on track

Automatically saved draft

Newly recruited Ukrainian soldiers at their base near Kiev(Bild: AP)

The Ukrainian parliament passed a controversial draft law on the mobilization of the armed forces on Thursday. Among other things, the law facilitates conscription and provides for higher penalties for conscientious objectors.

"The draft law on mobilization was adopted in its entirety," said MP Jaroslaw Schelesnjak on Thursday. 283 of the 450 MPs voted in favor, he added.

Deleted passage causes displeasure
At the last minute, a passage was deleted that provided for the dismissal of soldiers who had served 36 months in the army. The deletion caused displeasure among many soldiers who have been fighting on the front line for more than two years and their families.

Digital system to be introduced
The law is also intended to facilitate the conscription process by introducing a digital system. The law still has to be signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky before it comes into force.

Massive losses in the Ukrainian army
After more than two years of war, the Ukrainian military is suffering massive losses. Ukraine is having difficulties recruiting additional soldiers. At the beginning of April, Ukraine had already lowered the age for military service from 27 to 25.