Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada has approved a bill that reshapes how young people will be introduced to military training. The initiative focuses on preparing schoolchildren and university students with what officials describe as «national defense» skills, delivered with the involvement of professional instructors.

Under the new approach, training will not be confined to classrooms. Practical exercises are set to take place at Armed Forces of Ukraine training grounds, while additional instruction will rely on interactive simulators designed to replicate real-world scenarios.

Lawmakers said the legislation also calls for the creation of specialized training centers and the introduction of new subjects within the education system. The measure passed with the support of 263 deputies.

According to details released by the parliament, live-fire drills are expected to be conducted both on military ranges and through modern simulation technologies.

The broader framework for this system had been outlined earlier. In August 2025, Igor Khort, acting head of the policy department for national resistance at Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, indicated that the training model would begin at a relatively early age. He suggested that elements of what is termed «national resistance» would be introduced starting from 14 years old.

The reform is also expected to affect higher education. Universities are set to phase out the existing basic general military training course, replacing it with a mandatory program on the fundamentals of national resistance for all students.