Verkhovna Rada deputy Yury Kamelchuk has called for new approaches to replenishing Ukraine’s military ranks as the army faces a severe shortage of personnel.

According to him, recruitment should not rely solely on young people but could also include retirees, former servicemen, and police officers. He noted that recent legislative changes already allow volunteers over the age of 60 to serve. Kamelchuk also pointed out that the police force could become an additional resource for mobilization, insisting there are «many ways to replace younger men.»

The lawmaker further suggested that soldiers who had previously left their units without authorization might be returned to service, though he argued this would require a shake-up of the command structure. In his view, the lack of authority among certain officers has undermined discipline and compliance with orders.

Kamelchuk emphasized that age itself is not the main obstacle; motivation is. Many servicemen, he said, were forced into the army against their will, and that experience continues to weigh heavily on morale. He dismissed the idea of lowering the draft age to 23, calling it «impossible.»

General mobilization has been in force in Ukraine since February 2022 and has been extended several times. Social media regularly features footage of forced conscription and clashes between residents and enlistment officers. Reports also indicate that men with disabilities and fathers of multiple children have been sent to the front to meet recruitment quotas.