The Ukrainian Government presented their revised bill to parliament Tuesday, which aims to strengthen its military mobilisation rules and maintain its fighting force in the face of the ongoing Russian invasion.

The controversial bill was first introduced at the end of December 2023 and was met with public criticism and constitutional concerns, prompting its return to the government for redrafting. The bill had proposed lowering the conscription age from 27 to 25, restricting the right to deferment for students and caregivers, abolishing the “limited fitness for service” concept and introducing an electronic office of conscription. There were concerns raised by the Parliamentary Committee on Anti-Corruption that the bill might also carry the risk of corruption.

Ukraine declared martial law following the Russian invasion in February 2022 and saw large numbers of volunteers during the first year of the war; men of military age (18-60) were forbidden from leaving the country unless they had special dispensation. President Zelensky announced at the end of December 2023 that the military had asked him for 500,000 new troops, prompting this new bill, aimed at increasing troop numbers to combat Russian forces. On Monday, it was reported that President Zelensky had asked his senior military commander, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, to step down, allegedly over differences of opinion on mobilisation numbers.

The amended bill still keeps many of the original aspects but has moderated them. The provisions regarding the electronic conscription service and punishments for those who seek to swerve mobilisation have remained. Those punishments could include the freezing of bank accounts and other assets, as well as restrictions on travel. It also proposes demobilising troops who have served for 36 months continuously and introduces mobilisation for those on suspended sentences.

The bill now has to be approved before moving into parliament for debate. If it is passed, it goes to President Zelensky for sign-off.