The decision to allow men aged 18 to 22 to travel abroad has negatively affected Ukraine’s defense capability and economy, according to Ukrainian MP Ruslan Horbenko.
He said that although men in this age group are currently not subject to mobilization, they could work at defense industry enterprises.
“Our young people aged 18 to 22 have left, and this has affected both our defense capability and economy. They are not of mobilization age, but they could certainly work in the defense industry and assemble drones,” Horbenko said.
The MP also drew attention to a decline in the number of young men among university students and pupils in their final years of school. According to him, in some cases, there are only three boys for every 15 girls.
Horbenko believes the decision to allow unrestricted travel has created unequal conditions for young Ukrainians. He noted that students who remain in Ukraine must complete 300 academic hours of military training, while men aged 18 to 22 can leave the country without undergoing such training.
“Students who are studying, have part-time jobs or work additional evening hours are asking: why don’t we have equal rights? We are studying, we have stayed in Ukraine, and we are required to complete the training, while young people aged 18 to 22 are allowed to leave without it,” the MP explained.
In his view, Ukraine should reconsider its state policy on defense capability and its mobilization pool. Horbenko also suggested that women could be required to undergo military training in the future.
“Where are we heading? Girls will also have to undergo training. Ukraine will undoubtedly face conditions similar to those in Israel for the next 20 to 30 years,” Horbenko said.
Commenting on Germany’s possible transfer of data about Ukrainian men residing in the country, Horbenko said it would most likely amount only to an exchange of information. According to him, Ukrainians who legally entered the European Union and obtained the relevant status are protected under the laws of those countries.
The MP believes that deporting Ukrainian men from Germany alone would not resolve the issue, as they could simply move to other EU countries. He added that every potential return would have to be considered individually, including an examination of the grounds on which the person left Ukraine.
The Ukrainian government allowed men aged 18 to 22 inclusive to cross the state border freely during martial law in late August 2025. The Cabinet of Ministers adopted Resolution No. 1031 on August 26, and the new rules took effect on August 28, 2025.
