Part 8/12:
Amid ongoing conflict with Russia, the Biden Administration is urging Ukraine to take more aggressive internal measures to bolster its military forces. Specifically, U.S. officials are pressing Kyiv to lower the draft age from 25 to 18 and increase mobilization efforts amid a significant troop shortage.
Despite some recent steps, such as raising the draft age to 27 and implementing an online registration system, Ukraine’s military remains underprepared compared to Russian forces, which are bolstered by North Korean and other foreign troops. Ukrainian officials warn that manpower weaknesses could threaten their hold on contested territories, including critical regions near Russia’s border.