Ukraine on Wednesday has started conscripting reservists aged 18-60 following a decree by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the armed forces said in a statement.
The draft began after president Zelenskiy on Tuesday said he was introducing the conscription of reservists but ruled out a general mobilization after Russia announced it was moving troops into eastern Ukraine.
As per the statement, the maximum service period is one year.
One of Europe's worst security crises in decades was unfolding after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized two areas of eastern Ukraine as an independent. Both adjoin Russia and have been controlled by Russian-backed fighters since 2014.
Ukraine accused Russia of wrecking peace talks on ending an eight-year-old conflict in eastern Ukraine and resisted Moscow's demands it scraps its ambition to join the NATO alliance.
In a televised address Zelenskiy said he was still pursuing diplomatic ways out of the crisis and welcomed Turkey's willingness to participate in multilateral talks but said Ukraine would not cede any territory to Russia.
Ukraine and Western countries have long accused Russia of instigating the conflict in eastern Ukraine and sending troops and heavy weapons to prop up the separatists from 2014. Moscow had always denied doing so and demanded Kyiv hold direct talks with separatist leaders whose legitimacy Ukraine does not recognize.
The draft began after president Zelenskiy on Tuesday said he was introducing the conscription of reservists but ruled out a general mobilization after Russia announced it was moving troops into eastern Ukraine.
As per the statement, the maximum service period is one year.
One of Europe's worst security crises in decades was unfolding after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized two areas of eastern Ukraine as an independent. Both adjoin Russia and have been controlled by Russian-backed fighters since 2014.
Ukraine accused Russia of wrecking peace talks on ending an eight-year-old conflict in eastern Ukraine and resisted Moscow's demands it scraps its ambition to join the NATO alliance.
In a televised address Zelenskiy said he was still pursuing diplomatic ways out of the crisis and welcomed Turkey's willingness to participate in multilateral talks but said Ukraine would not cede any territory to Russia.
Ukraine and Western countries have long accused Russia of instigating the conflict in eastern Ukraine and sending troops and heavy weapons to prop up the separatists from 2014. Moscow had always denied doing so and demanded Kyiv hold direct talks with separatist leaders whose legitimacy Ukraine does not recognize.
