Law enacted empowers Ukrainian citizens aged 60 and above to enlist in the military under a contractual agreement, following Zelenskyy's signature
In a significant move to bolster Ukraine's military capacity, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a law on July 29, 2025, allowing Ukrainian citizens aged 60 and older to voluntarily join the military under contract during wartime.
The law applies to both males and females, and eligible individuals must pass a military medical commission, receive approval from a unit commander, and if applying as officers, also be cleared by the General Staff or relevant military authorities. They can then sign a one-year contract for military service, primarily in non-combat and specialized support roles.
New recruits undergo a two-month probationary period during which their fitness for service is evaluated. If found unfit, their contract may end early. The law places no maximum age limit for service, but all contracts are automatically voided once martial law ends.
This measure aims to address serious manpower shortages by expanding Ukraine’s recruitment pool beyond traditional age limits, focusing especially on leveraging older individuals' experience in technical, logistical, and support units.
The initiative is part of broader efforts, including lowering draft age and introducing contract incentives for younger volunteers, to bolster Ukraine’s military capacity amid ongoing conflict with Russia.
Key details include:
- Eligibility: Ukrainian citizens aged 60+ who voluntarily apply.
- Medical fitness: Must pass military medical commission.
- Command approval: Written consent from a unit commander required.
- Contract length: One year, with termination possible during probation.
- Service roles: Non-combat and specialized/support functions.
- Probation: Two months to assess suitability.
- Age limit: No upper limit during martial law.
- Contract cessation: Automatically ends with the lifting of martial law.
It is important to note that servicemembers aged 60 and over will receive the same pay and benefits as other servicemembers in their positions. The law stipulates that during martial law, citizens aged 60 and above may be accepted for military service under contract with the written consent of a unit commander.
The background information is that on 16 July, Ukraine's Parliament passed a law allowing citizens over 60 to voluntarily sign contracts with Ukraine's defence forces. The law does not specify any restrictions based on physical or mental health conditions for those aged 60 and over seeking to serve in the military.
References: [1] Ukrainian Parliament passes law allowing citizens over 60 to join military, Kyiv Post, July 16, 2025. [2] Zelensky signs law allowing Ukrainians aged 60 and older to serve in military, UNIAN, July 29, 2025. [3] Ukraine allows seniors to serve in military during martial law, The Guardian, July 30, 2025. [4] Zelensky signs law allowing Ukrainians aged 60 and older to serve in military, Ukrinform, July 29, 2025. [5] Ukraine allows citizens over 60 to serve in military during martial law, TASS, July 30, 2025.
- The new law in Ukraine addresses health concerns by requiring potential senior recruits to pass a military medical commission before joining the military under contract, especially during times of war-and-conflicts.
- In the midst of ongoing political tensions and general news coverage about war-and-conflicts, the economy of Ukraine receives a boost as the signing of the law allowing seniors to join the military under contract during martial law contributes to bolstering the country's military capacity.
