Ukraine Enacts Divisive Mobilization Law on Saturday Amid Russian Offensive

May 18, 2024, 09:01 AM

Ukraine has enacted a new mobilization law aimed at bolstering its armed forces amid an ongoing conflict with Russia. This divisive law, signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky, includes provisions for the mobilization of convicts, with approximately 5,000 convicts expressing a desire to defend the country. The law has sparked debate as Kyiv faces the challenge of increasing troop numbers without undermining social cohesion. The Defense Ministry reported that 150,000 citizens have already registered through the Reserve+ app, with hundreds of thousands more requests pending. The implementation of this law on Saturday comes as a new Russian offensive threatens to encroach on Ukraine’s second-largest city, further straining front-line troops.