KYIV - Ukraine's parliament has proposed a draft law to lower the age for military mobilization, reducing it from 27 to 25, amid the prolonged conflict with Russia. The draft specifies that Ukrainian citizens who have reached the age of 25 would be subject to enrollment for military registration of conscripts. Defence Minister Rustem Umerov's explanatory note highlighted the key provision of changing the conscription age.

The move follows recent tensions between Ukraine and Russia, with both countries exchanging claims over downed military aircraft and disputed control of the regional center Maryinka in eastern Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, addressing the issue during a year-end news conference on Dec. 19, mentioned that the military proposed mobilizing 450,000-500,000 more Ukrainians. However, he emphasized the sensitivity of the matter and the need for thorough discussion between the military and government before presenting the proposal to parliament.

Zelenskiy expressed the gravity of the situation, stating that he wanted to hear more arguments in favor of mobilizing additional people, considering it a "very serious number." The total number of Ukraine's troop strength is not publicly disclosed, but estimates suggest around 1 million people under arms. U.S. officials believe that hundreds of thousands have been killed and wounded since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, though casualty figures from both countries remain undisclosed.

David Arakhamia, the head of Zelenskiy's party in parliament, confirmed that the government was working on the bill at the military's request. The proposed law aims to address the military's challenges, with Arakhamia noting that society seeks answers to sensitive questions surrounding the ongoing conflict. The bill is scheduled to be introduced in parliament, reflecting Ukraine's efforts to address the evolving situation and ensure the readiness of its armed forces.