Mobilisation law comes into force as Ukraine struggles to boost troop numbers

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

Foreign journalists report from an observation point while smoke rises after a Russian attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

A mobilisation law has come into force in Ukraine as Kyiv struggles to boost troop numbers after Russia launched a new offensive.

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.