The Ukrainian government has announced a new restriction on passport renewals in an effort to prevent potential soldiers from leaving the country. Men aged 18 to 60 who are deemed fit for military service will only be able to renew their passports within Ukraine, in an attempt to reverse the drain of potential soldiers from the country. Millions of Ukrainians have fled the country since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, with many seeking refuge in neighboring European countries. The European Union estimates that 4.3 million Ukrainians are living in EU countries, with 860,000 of them being men aged 18 or older.
In response to the ongoing conflict, Ukraine is seeking much-needed supplies of weapons and ammunition from a large U.S. aid package to bolster its eastern front line against Russian forces. The United States has committed $61 billion in new military aid to Ukraine, which President Joe Biden signed into law on Wednesday. This aid is seen as a lifeline for Ukraine’s armed forces, which have faced shortages of artillery ammunition and air defense missiles during the prolonged conflict with Russia. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized the importance of speed in getting these supplies to the front lines to counter the Kremlin’s advances.
To further strengthen its military forces, Ukraine has lowered the conscription age from 27 to 25, and is now restricting passport renewals for men of conscription age. The move has been met with mixed reactions, with some expressing concern that denying military-age men access to consular services could lead to legal challenges at the European Court of Human Rights. Ukrainian opposition lawmaker Ivanna Klympush-Tsyntsadze warned that this action could prompt many Ukrainians to seek citizenship from other countries, potentially undermining Ukraine’s efforts to bolster its troop numbers.
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has been characterized as a war of attrition, with both sides facing challenges in maintaining their military capabilities. While Russia’s population and army size far outstrip Ukraine’s, the U.S. aid package and ongoing support from NATO allies have helped to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities. NATO countries, including the United Kingdom, have been urged to increase their defense spending to support Ukraine and put pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin. The U.K. has committed to maintaining its current level of military support for Ukraine and increasing its defense budget to 2.5% of GDP by 2030.
Despite ongoing challenges and casualties, Ukraine’s general staff has described the situation at the front as “difficult.” Injuries were reported in the Cherkasy region of central Ukraine after a high-speed target struck a critical infrastructure object, prompting a rescue operation. Ukraine’s Air Force also warned of a high-speed aerial object flying towards the Cherkasy region, although it did not provide further details. The conflict in eastern Ukraine has entered its sixth year, with both sides continuing to engage in combat operations as efforts to secure a lasting peace remain elusive.
