Reports indicate that mobilization will begin at age 18. Here's what officials in the Rada and military command have to say about it.
In the National Guard brigade, there are claims of accumulating winter gear, armor, thermal imaging devices, and communication equipment in preparation to receive reinforcements — mobilized citizens of Ukraine. Reportedly, the brigade stated that the expected age of the new recruits would be 20-year-old young men, who, according to current laws, are generally not subject to military service. Regarding the new draft bill in the Verkhovna Rada to mobilize individuals starting at 18 years old, deputy from "For the Future" Alexey Matyushenko wrote in his blog for the publication "Poltavshchyna."
Mobilization from 18 — the position of deputy Alexey Matyushenko
Alexey Matyushenko's article on potential changes to mobilization legislation was published at 10 AM on December 24. The text mentioned that the author of the publication visited the 17th National Guard brigade and brought equipment purchased with funds from a charitable foundation. During his visit, he spoke with brigade representative Sergey Lunich. Based on this conversation, the text concluded that the brigade would receive reinforcements — 20-year-old young men, and that a draft bill to lower the mobilization age to 18 was supposedly "on the table" in the Verkhovna Rada.
1 Just an hour later, around 12:15, the article about the possibility of mobilization from 18 years old disappeared from the "Poltavshchyna" portal, but the material is still available for viewing in the archive.
2 Mobilization from 18 — what they say in the Rada
The publication about changes in the draft age was responded to by people's deputy Alexey Goncharenko from "European Solidarity." In his Telegram channel, the politician noted that there is no draft bill that would allow mobilization from 18 years old. He also urged citizens to verify the information they see online.
3 There was a response from the people's deputy from "Servant of the People" and member of the VR Committee on National Security, Yuri Zdebsky. Zdebsky commented to the "Trukha Ukraine" channel, stating that there is no draft bill to lower the draft age. He also explained that such a decision must first be made at the level of the president, the National Security and Defense Council, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
"In the event of a threat to the country's loss, the age will certainly be lowered. Currently, there are no grounds," the deputy emphasized.
Information about the introduction of mobilization from 18 years old was also denied by the head of the CPD, Andrey Kovalenko, who called this material false.
4 Mobilization from 18 — what the 17th Poltava Brigade of the National Guard responded
At 12:30, the Telegram channel of the 17th Poltava Brigade of the National Guard published a comment regarding the mobilization of citizens aged 18 to 25. The note stated that the assumption about lowering the draft age is "inaccurate information." Furthermore, it was noted that Sergey Lunich, who was referenced in the article, does not belong to the brigade's command and is not someone who knows anything about legislative processes. It is also emphasized that misinformation should not be spread.
5 We remind you that on December 18, the "24 Channel" portal listed categories of Ukrainians under 25 years old who may be drafted into the Armed Forces of Ukraine.