Ukraine further restricts draft-age men from leaving

Ukrainian men of draft age with permanent residency in other countries will in most cases no longer be able to leave Ukraine if they visit. The intention of the decision is to mobilise more men to join the army.

Until now, Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60 who had permanent residency outside the country were allowed to travel abroad. A new rule, designed to fill the depleted ranks of its armed forces with fresh recruits, aims to restrict them from leaving the country. They will now be subject to the same restrictions as other Ukrainian military personnel unless they meet strict criteria, including health reasons or a government-approved cultural or sporting trip.

“Ukrainian citizens who have left Ukraine for more than three months will no longer be included in the category of people excluded from conscription,” said Andrij Demchenko, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Border Guard. “They are obliged to register with the army within 30 days.” The measure has been in force since 1 June and applies to all male Ukrainian citizens aged between 18 and 60. 

After more than two years of war against Russia, the armed forces are facing a shortage of men, while the military is in need of relief at the front. The US embassy in Kyiv had already advised citizens with dual citizenship against travelling to Ukraine on Tuesday.

^{Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky during a press conference in Brussels © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM}