Ukraine Finally Allows Young Men Aged Eighteen to Twenty-Two to Leave the Country
Kyiv lifts part of its wartime travel ban, permitting men aged eighteen to twenty-two to cross borders despite ongoing martial law.
Ukraine has adjusted its wartime border rules to finally allow men aged eighteen to twenty-two to leave the country, a significant change from the long-standing restriction barring military-aged males from departure.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the update, confirming it was coordinated with military leadership.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko emphasized the goal of maintaining strong ties with Ukrainians, including those currently abroad.
The new regulation takes effect the day after its official publication, even as martial law remains in place.
The travel ban, implemented after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, previously prevented most males between eighteen and sixty from leaving Ukraine.
It had led to prolonged family separations and attempts by under-eighteen males to flee the country ahead of potential conscription.
Although only men aged twenty-five and older are currently eligible for the draft, Ukraine has faced mounting pressure from Western partners to lower the conscription age to bolster its military ranks.
President Zelenskyy has opposed that push, citing a need for increased Western arms support.
A recent poll showed strong domestic opposition—eight-six and a half percent—against reducing the mobilization age.
In early 2025, Kyiv introduced a voluntary one-year military service contract for eighteen- to twenty-four-year-olds, offering financial incentives in an effort to address manpower shortages caused by heavy casualties.
The easing of travel restrictions comes amid demographic and war-related pressures.
Estimates place Ukrainian military casualties between sixty thousand and one hundred thousand.
More than four million Ukrainians—primarily women and children—have sought refuge abroad, with over thirty percent of them minors.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the update, confirming it was coordinated with military leadership.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko emphasized the goal of maintaining strong ties with Ukrainians, including those currently abroad.
The new regulation takes effect the day after its official publication, even as martial law remains in place.
The travel ban, implemented after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, previously prevented most males between eighteen and sixty from leaving Ukraine.
It had led to prolonged family separations and attempts by under-eighteen males to flee the country ahead of potential conscription.
Although only men aged twenty-five and older are currently eligible for the draft, Ukraine has faced mounting pressure from Western partners to lower the conscription age to bolster its military ranks.
President Zelenskyy has opposed that push, citing a need for increased Western arms support.
A recent poll showed strong domestic opposition—eight-six and a half percent—against reducing the mobilization age.
In early 2025, Kyiv introduced a voluntary one-year military service contract for eighteen- to twenty-four-year-olds, offering financial incentives in an effort to address manpower shortages caused by heavy casualties.
The easing of travel restrictions comes amid demographic and war-related pressures.
Estimates place Ukrainian military casualties between sixty thousand and one hundred thousand.
More than four million Ukrainians—primarily women and children—have sought refuge abroad, with over thirty percent of them minors.
