In first such ruling, Russian soldier reportedly jailed for 15 years for surrendering to Ukraine
The case marks the first known conviction in Russia for voluntary surrender during the full-scale war against Ukraine.
Mobilization
Ukraine's military reverses mobilization of former state tax chief accused of taking bribes
"Zero tolerance for corruption is being established within the Armed Forces. Therefore, any steps aimed at discrediting the Ukrainian army will be dealt with severely," Ukraine's Military Law Enforcement Service said.
Russia has capacity to mobilize 5 million trained troops, Syrskyi says
Russia has increased its force in Ukraine "fivefold since the beginning of the aggression," Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said, putting the number of Russian troops currently deployed in the country at 623,000.
Ukraine moves to tighten military deferments for students, educators
Under the proposed changes, students under the age of 25 who are enrolled full-time or in dual education programs for their first degree will qualify for deferments.
Russia plans to increase grouping in Ukraine by 150,000 troops in 2025, Ukrainian official says
"Their formation is ongoing. The Russians have no problems with recruiting personnel now," Presidential Office Deputy Head Pavlo Palisa said.
Ukraine's Supreme Court rules illegal mobilization not grounds for dismissal from military
The conscription of a person liable for military service during mobilization is irreversible, Ukraine's Supreme Court ruled on March 17, following a lawsuit by a serviceman who claimed he had been drafted illegally.
Territorial integrity, military size, alliances — FM Sybiha sets 3 'fundamentals' for potential peace talks
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stressed that Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty are non-negotiable, reaffirming that Kyiv will never recognize Russian-occupied territories as part of Russia.
Attacks on Ukraine’s draft officers on the rise, fueled by social tension and Russian interference
Within a single week in February, several attacks against enlistment offices and personnel in Ukraine took place, resulting in injuries among both military and civilians. The most striking was the murder of an enlistment officer at a gas station in Poltava Oblast. A man killed the officer during an attempt
‘As long as Russia is advancing, the war will continue’— military analyst Rob Lee on what awaits Ukraine in 2025
As Ukraine entered its fourth year of Russia’s full-scale war, it was geopolitics, not the war itself, that dominated headlines, as Kyiv’s relationship with new U.S. President Donald Trump nosedived over a proposed minerals deal. In the meantime though, the battlefield continues to rage on multiple fronts,
Culture Ministry to suspend issuing recommendation letters for journalists, artists to travel abroad
The measure, which will take effect on March 3, comes in response to cases in which men used their permits to stay abroad longer than permitted.
Women account for 21% of applicants at Ukraine's army recruitment centers
Since the army recruitment centers began operation, 42,366 Ukrainians have applied, with the highest number of female candidates coming from western Chernivtsi, Khmelnytskyi, and Ternopil oblasts.
Russia exceeded mobilization goals in occupied Ukrainian territories last year, official says
"In 2024, Russia had to mobilize thousands of people from the newly occupied territories and those who had previously been under occupation. According to HUR, this plan has been fulfilled by 104%."
Ukrainian draft officer injured during violent attack in Lviv Oblast
A Ukrainian draft officer was injured in a violently attack on Feb. 17 in the city of Zhovkva in Lviv Oblast while escorting two mobilized individuals to a medical evaluation.
Over 10,000 applications to join military submitted by young recruits following introduction of 'special contracts,' Defense Ministry says
Ukraine's military has received over 10,000 applications from volunteer recruits aged 18 to 24 following the introduction of lucrative "special contracts," Defense Ministry Spokesperson Dmytro Lazutkin said on Ukrainian TV on Feb. 17.
We asked young Ukrainians what would make them sign up for the armed forces
Ukraine faces a delicate balancing act — mobilizing enough people to fend off the immediate threat posed by Russia's full-scale invasion, and preserving enough of the country's youth to weather longer-term demographic concerns. On top of this, U.S. lawmakers and NATO allies are reportedly urging Ukraine to lower its draft
Kyiv and Washington’s mobilization age blame game misses the point
“The biggest problem is the lack of people.” These words, heard by journalists, including myself, from Ukrainian soldiers and commanders across the front line for the past year, are no outlier. For most of 2024 and into 2025, Ukraine’s biggest issue on the battlefield has not been firepower but
Mixed reactions as Ukraine introduces 1-year military contract for young volunteers
The contract includes basic general military training, vocational training, and an adaptation course in an army unit. Volunteers will receive a one-time monetary aid payment of Hr 1 million ($24,000) and a monthly allowance of up to Hr 120,000 ($3,000).
Ukrainian draft officer attacked at Kharkiv military enlistment office
The attacker reportedly used a gas spray and stabbed the serviceman, who is now receiving medical care with no threat to his life.
Military to introduce 'special contracts' to motivate younger volunteer fighters, Zelensky says
Such contracts will have many benefits, including "a very high monetary provision," according to the president. He said the details of such contracts would be made public in the coming days.
Police investigate death of 32-year-old man at military enlistment office
The incident follows reports on the deaths of conscripts allegedly caused by beatings at military enlistment offices.
Ukraine extends martial law until May 9
The extension of general mobilization and martial law until May 9 coincides with the celebration of Victory Day in Russia.
Russian intelligence behind deadly Rivne draft office bombing, Ukraine's SBU claims
The revelation follows a series of attacks on military enlistment officers, including explosions at draft offices.
Explosion reported near Khmelnytskyi Oblast draft office — 1 killed, 4 injured
An explosion near a military enlistment office in Kamianets-Podilskyi in Khmelnytskyi Oblast on Feb. 5 left at least one person dead and four injured, Suspilne reported, citing a police spokesperson.
Russia proposes easing conscription rules for people with certain mental disorders, syphilis, NGO reports
Russia's Ministry of Defense has proposed changes to military medical examination rules that would simplify the conscription of individuals with psychosis, hypertension, and syphilis.
Syrskyi condemns recent violence against draft officers, calls for investigation
"In a short time, unfortunately, three shameful acts of violence occurred in different regions, in which servicemen were injured," Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said.
Man detained after allegedly killing draft officer in Ukraine's Poltava Oblast
The Poltava Oblast National Police detained a man who allegedly shot a draft officer, stole his weapon, and escaped with another man overnight on Jan. 31.
Mayor in Ukraine's Lviv Oblast fined for disrupting mobilization activities
Taras Kuchma, the mayor of Drohobych in Lviv Oblast, has been fined for interfering with mobilization efforts, Ukrainian media outlet Zaxid.net reported on Jan. 28.
'If half the people go home tomorrow, Putin will kill us all' — Zelensky defends mobilization
"If tomorrow, for example, half of the army just goes home, then we should have surrendered on the first day. That's the way it is. Because if half the people go home tomorrow, Putin will kill us all."
Russia approves conscription reforms to target draft evaders, streamline recruitment
Under the new legislation, draft board decisions for individuals deemed fit for service will remain valid for one year. This allows military commissions to send individuals to the army in subsequent drafts without requiring additional medical examinations or decisions.
Transfer of Ukrainian Air Force personnel to infantry continues despite scandal
The Ukrainian military command's plan to throw high-skilled Air Force personnel into the infantry was said to be halted when the practice gained nationwide attention, followed by a condemnation from President Volodymyr Zelensky. Soldiers, who spoke to the Kyiv Independent on conditions of anonymity, say, however, that nothing has changed,
Ukraine reforming recruitment system to attract 18-25-year-olds, senior official says
The move comes amid pressure from U.S. lawmakers to lower the draft age, though President Volodymyr Zelensky has opposed lowering it to 18, arguing it would harm Ukraine's future prospects.
Ukraine is failing the mobilization test
Ukrainian society largely does not want to mobilize. Nearly 6 million Ukrainian men have not updated their information in military enlistment centers, and most of them likely don't have grounds for a deferment or exemption. Forced mobilization of these men is categorically opposed by society. Rosy-cheeked aunts gather and shout
(Updated: )
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