New military draft starts in Ukraine amid intensified assault on militia-held territories

New military draft starts in Ukraine amid intensified assault on militia-held territories (RT, Jan 20, 2015):

The Ukrainian military draft for 2015 has come into effect. It’s expected to see 100,000 people joining the army in three stages throughout the year. The self-proclaimed Donetsk republic says the process is undermining peace agreements.

The first stage of the draft, starting on Tuesday, will last ninety days and will seek 50,000 recruits. Two more stages will follow in April and June.

The main aim of the mobilization is said to be replacement for those on the front line in eastern Ukraine, who were recruited last year.

Those eligible for draft are primarily reserve servicemen aged from 25 to 60. They are supposed to get a month of training before they actually go to the battlegrounds in eastern Ukraine. Women – mostly nurses and psychologists – are also subject to mobilization, according to the law signed by President Poroshenko on Monday.

Joint Staff spokesman Vladimir Talalay has warned those dodging the draft could face up to five years behind bars.

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