Ukraine lowers draft eligible age from 27 to 25.

Why is the age so high?

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Ukraine has brought in a mobilisation law to boost troop numbers amid a new offensive from Russia that has seen more than 500,000 troops amassed on the front line in a dramatic bid to overpower Kiev.

The legislation, which was watered down from its original draft, will make it easier to identify every conscript in the country.

It also provides incentives to soldiers such as cash bonuses or money towards buying a house or car, that some analysts say Ukraine cannot afford.

Ukraine's parliamentarians dragged their feet for months and only passed the law in mid-April, a week after Ukraine lowered the age for men who can be drafted from 27 to 25.

The measures reflect the growing strain that more than two years of war with Russia has had on Ukraine's forces, who are trying to hold the front lines in fighting that has sapped the country's ranks and stores of weapons and ammunition.

The law change comes as Russia continued its advances in northern Ukraine, which threaten the country's second city, Kharkiv. Pictured: Smoke rises over the city following a Russian bombardment on Friday

Dr Jack Watling, from the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), said: 'The Russian forces have now expanded to 510,000 troops.

'The outlook for Ukraine is bleak. Its allies must replenish stockpiles.'

The warning came earlier this week as Russia continued its advances in northern Ukraine, which threaten the country's second city, Kharkiv.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps suggested the advances had 'caught the West napping'.

Alongside the mobilisation law, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also signed two other laws on Friday, allowing prisoners to join the army and increasing fines for draft dodgers five-fold.

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