Ukraine pushes military-age men to return to fight, suspends consular services

The move comes as Kyiv faces manpower shortages in the fighting against Russia, and is tied to a new law that includes tougher penalties against draft dodgers

Ukrainian men have been prohibited from leaving the country since the invasion began, but thousands are thought to have fled the country illegally

2-MIN READ2-MIN

Volunteers who aspire to join the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces take part in basic training in the Kyiv region in March. Photo: Reuters

Published: 3:42am, 24 Apr 2024Updated: 8:45am, 24 Apr 2024

Ukraine on Tuesday suspended consular services for men of fighting age living abroad, after announcing measures to bring them home amid manpower shortages in the army fighting Russia.

The move, which will hinder the renewal of official documents abroad, drew criticism.

It is part of efforts to boost Ukraine’s army, which has been struggling to hold the front lines partly because of a lack of soldiers.

Ukraine’s foreign ministry “announced a temporary suspension of accepting new applications for consular services” for men between 18 and 60. It made an exception for documents allowing them to return to Ukraine.

Relatives of Ukrainian servicemen hold placards in Kyiv on April 11 as they attend a rally to demand that lawmakers add terms of demobilisation to new bill. Photo: Reuters

The measure is likely to oblige Ukrainian men to request administrative procedures that were previously available abroad in Ukraine.