Demobilization for soldiers over 55: Are "veterans" still capable of serving in the military?

Members of the Verkhovna Rada have submitted a draft law №12222 aimed at reducing the maximum age for military service and reserve to 55 years.

According to MP Oleksiy Honcharenko from "European Solidarity," this is necessary because most men aged 55-60 have poorer health, are often classified as "limited fit," and are physically unable to carry out all combat tasks.

"Military personnel who have been serving since 2022, especially those who have been injured or have reached the age of 50+, require rotation or demobilization. Commanders note that 'the army is aging,' and older servicemen cannot always effectively execute certain combat tasks," — said Oleksiy Honcharenko.

He emphasized that those who wish to continue their service will be able to do so voluntarily.

Reducing the Maximum Age for Service: Why It Is Necessary

"Currently, this is temporarily halted by a directive from the Ground Forces command, which was achieved in September. However, the directive can be canceled at any moment. It is clear that these individuals cannot contribute significantly to the army, so they should not be disturbed," — he explained.

The MP mentioned that the initiative would also allow individuals over 55 to resign from the army, as some of them have been fighting for more than two years. In his opinion, it is evident that their health condition no longer permits them to continue fighting.

"Those who are capable and willing will be able to continue if they choose, while others will have the opportunity to resign and return to their families. Therefore, this issue needs to be addressed because these individuals exist, and they do not provide significant benefit to the military; they are already exhausted. As it stands, they have no option to resign," — Honcharenko stated.

"That is precisely why we proposed to reduce the maximum age so that individuals aged 55+ can serve in the military by their own choice," — said Yatsyk.

Deteriorating Health Among Young Soldiers: How to Address the Problem with the VVK

Deteriorating health is observed not only among older military personnel but also among younger ones. Meanwhile, the VVK often declares such individuals fit for service. When asked how to tackle this issue, Honcharenko noted that order needs to be established within the VVK.

"It is evident that the VVK recognizes everyone as fit, and this is indeed a problem that needs to be addressed. Unfortunately, this cannot be resolved through legislation," — the deputy summarized.

The VSK had no access to medical documents to verify the grounds for determining the fitness of certain categories of individuals for service, Yatsyk pointed out.

"However, yes, there is a problem with the VVK regarding fake documents of unfitness and, conversely, of fitness. There have been cases where a person with a lifelong disability was deemed fit. But when we talk about men aged 55+, this situation is more objective; their health condition truly prevents them from fulfilling their functions. Many of the volunteers who were called up and reached this age are being discharged specifically due to health reasons," — she explained.

What Can Soldiers Aged 55+ Do in War?

"My father is a driver, and my grandfather is a surgeon. Therefore, these individuals can do something in war, but only if they are in non-combat positions. When it comes to trenches, bunkers, and movement — it is not very easy for people over 50 to engage in such activities because their health does not allow it," — he noted.

Moreover, the military believes that the draft age should be lowered, basic military training should be improved, and the sergeant and officer corps should be enhanced so that soldiers trust their commanders more. There should also be better equipment.

"Then we can, without question, recruit people from 21 years old; they will show very good results at the front," — Yakovlev is convinced.

In turn, a fighter from the DShV with the call sign "Coyote" noted that servicemen aged 55-60 are capable of "a lot." According to him, "thanks to the combat veterans, the line holds."

However, he agrees with Yakovlev that the draft age needs to be lowered.

"We can first reduce it to 55, and then from 25 to 20. Or is this a consequence we are prepared for? Any action will lead to another. Therefore, we need to assess the situation objectively, not subjectively," — he believes.

He mentioned that people need to be informed that each action may have other consequences, including unpopular decisions.

It is worth noting that on November 19, it became known that in the "Sustainability Plan," under the item titled "Front," there is mention of mobilization and possible reduction of the draft age. He highlighted that Ukraine wants to change its management approach in the army.

At the end of October, the head of the Council of Reservists of the Ground Forces, Ivan Timochko, stated that Ukraine would have to lower the draft age if all male resources aged 25 to 50 are already in the army.