Russia: "Ukraine to Lower Conscription Age to 18"

Defense Capability Decline... Calls for Troop Expansion Following U.S. Demands

Claims have emerged from Russian intelligence agencies that Ukraine will lower the conscription age to 18 in response to demands from the United States.

According to major foreign media on the 3rd (local time), Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) stated, "Recently, the United States demanded that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky lower the conscription age to 18," and claimed, "Ukraine will soon accept this."

The U.S. government reportedly judged that lowering the conscription age was necessary to counter the Russian military, which has superiority in manpower and firepower. Last year, Ukraine expanded the conscription target from those aged 27 and above to those aged 25 and above.

SVR also claimed to have obtained information that the U.S. and other Western countries are considering the possibility that Ukraine's military capabilities may decline, leading to a collapse in defense. The interpretation is that the U.S. demanded lowering the conscription age because it is difficult to hold the front lines with only material and technical support.

Earlier, in November last year, the Associated Press reported that the Joe Biden administration was urging Ukraine to lower the current conscription age of 25 to 18. Subsequently, Agence France-Presse cited a senior Ukrainian official stating that this demand was rejected.

SVR also claimed that Eastern European countries bordering Ukraine are already preparing for an influx of Ukrainian refugees due to the expansion of the conscription age.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.