Move FM Global News

KYIV, Ukraine – Ukraine’s military forces are so stretched the country is to draft all men under sixty who are eligible for military service.

Those that resist being conscripted will face up to 5 years in prison.

Ukraine is at its “highest stage of mobilization,” Colonel Yuri Maksimov, who is head of recruitment at the Kyiv City Recruitment and Social Support Center told Ukraine’s TSN news Monday.

“All men under the age of sixty who are liable for military service should expect to be served with draft papers,” he said.

Anyone that does not comply could be jailed for up to 5 years, he added.

Maksimov made it clear the Ukraine military is not only focused on the defense of the country but is aiming to retake areas seized by Russia.

“While we are at war, we must ensure that we have personnel not only for defense but also for the offensive to liberate our territories,” he said.

Maksimov also made it clear conscription would be introduced across the country and was not limited to Kyiv.

“There are no prohibitions on where the military summons can be served,” he said.

Late last month, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said the military was sustaining heavy losses and was losing around fifty service members a day.

(Photo credit: Efrem Lukatsky | AP).