Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a new law allowing citizens over the age of 60 to voluntarily join the Armed Forces, as the country faces growing challenges in recruiting soldiers amid the ongoing war with Russia, now in its fourth year.
The law enables older Ukrainians to sign one-year contracts for non-combat roles, provided they pass all required medical examinations. The measure was published on the official website of the Ukrainian Parliament.
“An increasing number of citizens aged 60 or older have expressed a desire to voluntarily contribute to the defense of the state,” the government document states.
“It is essential to involve a larger number of people willing to defend Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Ukraine has launched multiple initiatives aimed at bolstering its military ranks. These include one-year voluntary contracts and financial incentives targeted at young people between the ages of 18 and 24.
In April 2024, the government also lowered the official mobilization age from 27 to 25, despite U.S. pressure to reduce it further to 18.
The war in Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, when Russian President Vladimir Putin launched what he described as a “special military operation” to demilitarize Ukraine.
In response, Western nations imposed sweeping economic sanctions on Russia. The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and has displaced millions of people from their homes.
