Why Ukraine Is Allowing More Young Men to Leave the Country

Men between the ages of 18 and 22 will no longer be barred from leaving Ukraine under a new regulation that eases a rule introduced in the early days of the Russian invasion to ensure the country had enough soldiers.

The ban on traveling out of the country, which took effect under martial law in February 2022, has applied to men from 18 to 60, including those not yet eligible for the draft, which currently starts at age 25. Under the new rule, which goes into effect on Thursday, men will be allowed to travel outside Ukraine until they reach the age of 23.