Weakened, Ukraine seeks to recruit younger men
A U.S. official has suggested that Ukraine lower the conscription age to 18 in order to bolster its military ranks after two years of fighting.
As desertions rise and recruitment struggles to meet demand, an official from the U.S. administration believes it would be prudent to reduce the minimum enlistment age.
Last May, Volodymyr Zelenskyy had already signed a decree lowering the conscription age from 27 to 25.
Oleksandr Lytvynenko, Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security Council, informed parliament last month that Kyiv plans to call up an additional 160,000 men to join the armed forces.
If Ukraine were to follow this advice, it could significantly increase the number of eligible recruits, the U.S. official explained.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is reportedly preparing for a new offensive against Russia in another border region.
After surprising the Kremlin last August with a sudden attack, Ukrainian forces may be planning a breakthrough in the Bryansk region.
(QG - Sky News / Picture: © Unsplash)