Reduction of mobilization age in 2025: the Rada refuted the fake news

An advisor to the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Economic Development claimed an alleged reduction of the mobilization age in Ukraine in 2025. However, this information is fake.

This was reported by RBC-Ukraine referring to an exclusive comment from a member of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defence, and Intelligence, Fedir Venislavsky, and the head of the Economic Development Committee, Dmytro Natalukha, on Facebook.

Fake News about Reducing Mobilization Age

An advisor to the Rada Committee on Economic Development, Nazariy Volyanskyi, claimed that European and American partners have allegedly been urging Ukraine since 2022 to lower the mobilization age to 18 years.

"Therefore, when I am asked whether it will be lowered - of course, it will be lowered. For example, next year, I think, in the first months, January, February, March, such a decision will be made," he added.

Venislavskyi’s Reaction

As reminded by MP Fedir Venislavsky in a comment to RBC-Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has already stated that currently, the issue of lowering the mobilization age is not on the agenda. Ukraine needs weapons and innovative technologies.

"In the war that Russia is now waging against us, victory through increasing numbers is absurd. We must understand that only through modern types of weaponry that can inflict damage unacceptable to the Russian Federation can the war be ended," he added.

Moreover, the MP, commenting on the timelines mentioned by Volyanskyi, noted that there are currently no legislative initiatives for lowering the mobilization age.

"Even if they appear in some head, from a procedural standpoint, it is quite a long process," he added.

Additionally, according to him, gathering votes in Parliament to lower the mobilization age is "unlikely" to succeed for anyone.

Venislavskyi also clarified that there is no discussion about reducing the mobilization age among the members of the defense committee.

Natalukha’s Reaction

"Neither the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine nor our committee, in particular, has adopted or plans to adopt any decision as claimed by Volyanskyi on the broadcast," wrote MP Dmytro Natalukha.

He also added that at the next committee meeting, the issue of revoking Volyanskyi’s advisor status will be considered. He was given this status to provide advice, not to harm with poorly understood and speculative statements.