Ukraine Defense Ministry spokesperson Dmitry Lazutkin has stated that the Ukrainian society must be prepared to make sacrifices and relinquish their peaceful lives in order to overcome the threat posed by Russia.

Kiev is revamping its military conscription system to increase the number of soldiers amid setbacks in the ongoing war with Russia, implementing stringent reforms scheduled to take effect next week.

“Globally speaking, starting on May 18, when the mobilization law comes into force, first of all, the approach to this war will change,” Lazutkin said as quoted by Espresso TV on Saturday.

“Because this situation, when some people are fighting at the front lines, while others are living their quiet lives, is obviously coming to an end.”

The official noted that life in Kiev contrasts starkly with the situation in the eastern regions of the country, which he described as "abnormal."

“It would be normal if our enemy was weak. But with such an enemy, the whole country and the whole society need to mobilize,” he added.

The big picture

Since the outbreak of hostilities with Russia in February 2022, Ukraine has been in dire need of replacing nearly half a million casualties, as estimated by Moscow. Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu stated, on March 20, that Ukraine has lost 71,000 men and 11,000 units in 2024 alone.

To address this pressing issue, President Volodymyr Zelensky enacted amendments to conscription rules last month. These changes include lowering the draft age to 25, automating summons, and granting enlistment officers expanded powers while imposing various restrictions for draft dodgers. Additionally, the country's Foreign Ministry has suspended consular services for military-eligible Ukrainians abroad.

Under the new legislation, fines for violations of military registration rules will increase up to $520, and Ukrainian authorities have warned of blocking bank accounts and imposing penalties on the property of those attempting to evade military service.

In response to these stricter measures, there has been a notable increase in Ukrainian men attempting to flee the country. Border Service spokesperson Andrey Demchenko revealed that approximately 120-150 people are apprehended trying to leave Ukraine daily, with some tragically losing their lives in the attempt.

Ukrainian army struggling with manpower shortage: WSJ

The Ukrainian military is having an increasing struggle with a manpower shortage and hindered recruitment efforts due to "politics, demographics and Ukrainians' increasing reluctance to join the military," the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported last month.

The report emphasized that the Ukrainian armed forces desperately need recruits, but "political dithering" is leaving frontline units in a dire state, highlighting that a draft law aimed at expanding conscription is still stalled in the Ukrainian parliament after months of debate.

According to the newspaper, the law's proposed changes are "somewhat modest", as the draft age will be reduced from 27 to 25 years, soldiers will be eligible to leave the Ukrainian army after three years of service, and penalties will be imposed on men who avoid conscription.

🇺🇦 “I’m so tired, Mom. I don’t want to fight anymore”

— Ukrainian soldier records a last message to his mother pic.twitter.com/O9n5EkRFCB

— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) May 5, 2024

The Wall Street Journal mentioned that the failure of the major counteroffensive launched by Ukraine last year and the loss of tens of thousands of soldiers shook Ukrainians' confidence in their ability to regain territory.

It noted that men aged between 18 and 60 have been prevented from leaving the country since the start of the war, although only those under 27 are eligible for conscription, with most of the country's youth exempted.

The newspaper confirmed that hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian men continue to evade conscription. Some reported being beaten or detained for several days until they signed conscription papers.

Moreover, tens of thousands of soldiers have been injured, many of whom are no longer fit for combat, while those who remain are drained and lack artillery shells, with shipments from the United States delayed.

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