Ukraine public divided over mobilization law

Ukrainian lawmakers addressed a shortage of fighting forces by passing a new military mobilization law. But a poll suggests only a third of the public supports the legislation.

Authorities have barred men between the ages of 18 and 60 from leaving the country since the start of the war. But they brought in new rules last month to crack down on draft dodgers. They require men of fighting age to register their addresses and family information with the military by July 16.

Defense officials say about 2 million of the estimated 4 to 5 million eligible men have already completed their registration.

Pollsters with an independent research firm, the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, asked people whether they "support" the law.

Thirty-four percent of respondents said they "completely" or "somewhat" agree. Fifty-two percent said they "completely" or "somewhat" disagree.

The pollsters say President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in particular, has experienced a decline in approval ratings over the law.