Why Ukraine's parliament supported contracts for volunteers aged 60 and over: Official’s explanation
Photo: Fedir Venislavskyi, member of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense, and Intelligence (Getty Images)
The Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine's parliament) has allowed Ukrainians to serve after the age of 60, as the security and defense sector requires specialists with unique expertise. At the same time, this does not imply forced mobilization, according to Fedir Venislavskyi, a Member of Parliament and member of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense, and Intelligence, during a briefing.
"There can be no mandatory mobilization of people aged 60 and over. Turning 60 means a person is removed from the register. Only with their voluntary consent and solely on a contract basis can they continue to serve," he explained.
Venislavskyi added that there are already individuals over 60 in the defense sector performing specialized tasks. Moreover, many of the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s achievements have been made possible thanks to such specialists who have deep knowledge of Soviet-era weaponry.
"I can say that some of the events, which were reported as 'firsts' in the history of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, took place with the involvement of specialists aged 60 and above. This is because it concerned Soviet weapons that can still be used and are thoroughly known by people aged 60+, primarily officers," he explained.
Contract for volunteers over 60 years old
On Wednesday, July 16, the parliament approved a law allowing Ukrainians over the age of 60 to voluntarily join the Armed Forces of Ukraine under a contract.
The law applies exclusively to volunteers: to sign a contract, individuals must undergo a medical examination and confirm their fitness for service. This way, the state gains the opportunity to engage experienced specialists willing to support the army in specific positions or behind the lines.
