Ukrainian parliament passes law amending mobilization rules

Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, has passed a law on mobilization in the second and final reading. Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksiy Goncharenko reported that 283 deputies voted in favor of the bill. He emphasized that he himself did not support the legislation.

The law will come into force one month after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signs it, reported RBC Ukraine.

The new law on mobilization, among other things, replaces conscription with five months of basic military service in peacetime and three months in wartime. Ukrainians under the age of 24 will be able to choose the year and period of their basic service. The law also introduces mandatory basic military training in colleges, starting in 2025.

There are also a number of penalties that can be imposed on draft evaders and violators of military registration rules, including a temporary ban on leaving Ukraine, asset seizure, and a ban on driving.