Military Service for Men Aged 18–22: Will Military Training Become a Prerequisite for Traveling Abroad?

Ukraine is discussing new rules for young men planning to travel abroad. A member of parliament has proposed making basic military training a mandatory requirement for men aged 18–22 before they cross the border. Learn more about the potential changes to the travel procedures and how they relate to technological advancements in the military

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Recently, the Judicial and Legal Newspaper in Ukraine reported on an initiative that could significantly impact the process by which young men cross the border. A member of parliament proposed requiring young men aged 18 to 22 to undergo basic military training (BMT) before leaving the country. This idea arose following the government’s decision to allow travel abroad for this age group.

What exactly is being proposed, why does the MP consider BGT necessary, and how is this related to technological changes in the Armed Forces—we explain further in this article.

Traveling abroad for men aged 18–22: what condition are lawmakers proposing?

The Ukrainian government has adopted a decision allowing young men aged 18–22 to travel abroad. The MP supported this initiative but expressed a fundamental reservation: before traveling abroad, young men must undergo basic military training. According to the MP, this training will prepare young people for potential challenges and serve as an effective recruitment tool.

The MP noted that during basic military training, recruiters and psychologists will be able to identify those young people who are ready for service. According to him, this could become a serious alternative for young men planning to go abroad for low-paying jobs. At the same time, the lawmaker emphasized that military personnel’s pay is set to increase significantly, and new technological opportunities are opening up prospects for decent earnings directly within the military.

What do the statuses “wanted,” “verified,” “removed from the registry,” “reserve,” and “reservist” mean when updating data in the Reserve+ app?— read about it in this article.

Lowering the draft age in Ukraine: Is there a basis for change?

A separate issue raised by the MP concerns the draft age. According to him, there is currently no political will in the Verkhovna Rada to lower the draft age. The MP emphasized that there are also no objective circumstances for considering this issue at the moment.

According to the MP’s assessment, the situation on the front lines allows for holding positions thanks to technological advancements. Ukrainian units are successfully striking the aggressor’s mid-range and long-range rear areas. That is why the need to expand the mobilization framework is not yet on the agenda. The issue of lowering the draft age can only be considered in the event of a sharp escalation—for example, if russia declares full mobilization with an additional draft of between half a million and one million people. In such a case, all branches of government will work together to find solutions.

We discussed the reform, which provides for payments of up to 400,000 UAH and demobilization, in a previous article.

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The role of technology in the modern army: drones, UAVs, and remote combat

The MP separately emphasized the growing importance of technology in modern combat operations. In his view, the Armed Forces require broader use of hybrid combat systems involving drones and ground robotic systems (GRS). This approach minimizes the use of assault units and saves the lives of personnel.

The lawmaker noted that specialists with advanced technical skills are currently highly valued in the military. By his comparison, the ability to work with a laptop in the modern army is valued at the level of a lieutenant colonel. The army needs specialists with experience in computer technologies, particularly participants in esports tournaments.

Among the deputy’s key arguments in favor of the army’s technological development are:

• increasing pay for service members, particularly drone and UAV operators;
• the ability to remotely control drones at a distance of 500–1,000 kilometers from the front line;
• reducing dependence on assault units through combined arms systems;
• recruiting specialists with technological skills as a priority.

The MP emphasized that modern technologies already make it possible to carry out combat missions remotely. Soldiers can operate drones from safe locations, and Ukraine has all the necessary resources and capabilities for this.

Remember! Those planning to travel abroad in their own car should ensure they have mandatory auto insurance. A Green Card is an international driver’s liability insurance policy, which is mandatory for crossing the border in a vehicle. On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can quickly and conveniently apply for a Green Card online, without waiting in lines or providing unnecessary documents.

Apply for a Green Card through Visit Ukraine right now and travel with confidence!

Reminder! Syrskyi signed a decree on mandatory rotation of troops on the front lines. Important details — follow the link.

Photo: Depo.ua

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