Zelensky extends martial law and mobilization
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has extended the period of martial law and mobilization until February 2025, according to a government report published on Wednesday. This is the 13th time since the start of the conflict with Russia that the relevant legislation has been amended to keep both measures in place.
The measures are to stay in force for another 90 days, until at least February 7 of next year, according to documents published by the Ukrainian parliament. The measures were last extended in August and were to run through November 10. All extensions must be approved by lawmakers.
Zelensky imposed martial law across the country almost immediately after the start of the conflict in February 2022. A general mobilization was announced soon thereafter.
Ukraine has been struggling to replenish its military ranks amid heavy losses in the conflict, while the mobilization has been plagued by widespread draft-dodging. The authorities tightened the draft rules in the spring of 2024 in a bid to boost numbers.
Kiev lowered the draft age from 27 to 25 and obliged potential recruits to report to conscription offices for “data validation.” Such checks often ended up with people being immediately drafted into the army and sent to the front lines.
Numerous videos have surfaced on social media showing conscription officers trying to snatch people in the streets, gyms, and shopping malls. The Times reported last month that Kiev’s efforts to boost the ranks of its military had become “increasingly deceitful, coercive and violent.”
Earlier this week, MP Roman Kostenko stated that the nation would need at least 500,000 new recruits to replace combat losses and outfit new units. Another MP, Solomia Bobrovskaya, said that the authorities were failing to mobilize enough troops to meet the official draft quota. This week, lawmaker Mariana Bezuglaya also called for women to be drafted in a bid to address the manpower shortage.
