Ukraine to Increase Number of Servicemen

The Verkhovna Rada has adopted, in the first reading, bills necessary for the creation of territorial defence of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and also called for an increase in the size of the Armed Forces.

In particular, 318 MPs voted for the draft law “On Fundamentals of National Resistance.” According to the document, the components of national resistance are territorial defence, resistance movement, and preparation of Ukrainian citizens for national resistance actions.

The draft law stipulates that within the framework of the territorial defence system, it is also possible to create voluntary formations of territorial communities, which are allowed to use their own hunting weapons.

In addition, 320 MPs voted in the first reading for the bill “On Amendments to Article 1 of the Law of Ukraine “On the Size of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.” According to this document, the size of the Armed Forces will be increased by 11,000 servicemen – up to 261,000 people.

Earlier, the Committee on National Security, Defence, and Intelligence recommended that the Verkhovna Rada adopt this law.

As of 2020, the budget of the Armed Forces of Ukraine amounted to UAH 136.6 billion or USD 5.5 billion.

Natalia Tolub