In Ukraine, the “limitedly fit” status for service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been abolished

On Tuesday, April 2, President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky signed a bill on amendments to the laws on ensuring the rights of military personnel and police officers to social protection. As Verkhovna Rada deputy from the Golos faction Yaroslav Zheleznyak said in Telegram, one of these changes suggests that “men who were recognized as limitedly fit for military service will have to undergo a second medical examination within 9 months (since their status is limited fit for military service has been cancelled).

The law remains the rule regarding the full “ability or inability” to perform military service, the Ukrainian online publication Focus points out. The decision on this matter will be made by the military medical commission.

In addition, the amendments prohibit representatives of religious organizations whose “guiding center” is located in Russia from becoming military chaplains. First of all, this will affect the clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Reducing the age limit for mobilization to 25 years

On the same day, Zelensky signed a bill amending the law “On Military Duty”, allowing men aged 25 and 26 years to be conscripted for military service upon mobilization. Until now, men aged 27 to 60 years were subject to forced mobilization in Ukraine.

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted amendments providing for a reduction in the age limit for conscription for military service upon mobilization back in May 2023. On June 5 of the same year, this bill was sent to Zelensky for signature, but the president only signed it now.

When preparing the bill, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine justified it by the need to replenish the mobilization reserve.

Lack of manpower in the Ukrainian Armed Forces

As RBC Ukraine recalls, Zelensky said in December 2023 that he was ready to lower the age limit for military service to 25 years only if he received arguments from the military.

Against the backdrop of the recent military successes of the Russian Armed Forces, a number of experts in recent weeks have drawn attention to the fact that the Ukrainian army lacks not only Western weapons, but, first of all, manpower.