Ukraine starts last mandatory draft
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 1 October 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Ukraine starts last mandatory draft, 1 October 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/526104105.html [accessed 3 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
October 01, 2013
By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service
A Ukrainian armored personnel carrier tows a trolleybus behind it on a road covered with snow in Kyiv. (file photo)
KYIV – The last mandatory drafting of conscripts into the Ukrainian armed forces is under way.
The Defense Ministry announced on October 1 that by the end of 2014 the Ukrainian armed forces will be comprised of soldiers serving on contracts only.
The last mandatory draft in October-November will bring 10,800 conscripts into Ukraine's armed forces, or 2,500 conscripts fewer than in the previous draft season.
Ukraine – which currently has the fifth-largest army in Europe with 180,000 soldiers – plans to reduce the army's size to 122,000 soldiers by 2017.
In accordance with the outgoing law, all male citizens between the ages of 18 and 27 must serve for one year in the national army or for 18 months in the Ukrainian Navy.
With reporting by Mil.gov.ua
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
