President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has signed laws extending martial law and general mobilization in the country until August 11. The relevant documents were published on the website of the Verkhovna Rada on Thursday, May 9.

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine supported these laws on the eve of May 8.

At the same time, the Rada adopted a bill on the mobilization of Ukrainians convicted of minor crimes. Those who are serving sentences for murder, sexual violence or crimes against the foundations of national security will not be mobilized.

Zelensky signed a law on April 16 tightening mobilization. The document specifies how mobilization measures should be carried out, and clarifies the penalties that threaten to evade military service. There are no provisions on demobilization in the law.

In addition, Zelensky lowered the age of mobilization from 27 to 25 on April 16, and also signed a law creating an electronic register of military service personnel, which will combine all information about the personal data of Ukrainians. After that, on April 22, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry suspended consular services for men of military age who live abroad. The next day, the government in Kiev decided to ban the receipt of domestic and foreign passports for men of military age who are abroad.

Martial law in Ukraine has been in effect since February 2022. At the same time, Zelensky signed a decree on general mobilization. Later, the Verkhovna Rada repeatedly extended its validity. Most men between the ages of 18 and 60 are prohibited from leaving the country.