Ukraine is preparing to expand recruitment conditions for military personnel. The Rada (Parliament) is debating a legislative initiative proposed by Volodymyr Zelensky's government to change the rules for the use of men in combat operations. The idea is to lower the draft age for military service from 27 to 25, introduce more sanctions for those who evade military service and force Ukrainians abroad to have their military documents updated.
As Russia's war against Ukraine enters its third year and becomes a battle of attrition, President Zelensky announced a few weeks ago that the army had recruited up to half a million new recruits. By expanding the conditions of recruitment, thousands of men (women are not included in the mobilization) can receive a summons. The matter has drawn widespread criticism and neither the government nor the army want to take sole responsibility for it.
Ukraine is now divided into two parts: on the one hand, the areas closest to the fronts; and on the other hand, the rest of the country, where a certain normality has been established, which has led to a large part of the citizens losing the sense of existential urgency that surrounded the first year of the war. Therefore, the majority of Ukrainians who did not report no longer want to fight at the front.
The new proposal to expand mobilization aims to bring Ukraine's armed forces somewhat on a par with those of the Kremlin. Russia, a country of just over 143 million people – compared to 43 million Ukrainians, according to figures before the great war and refugee exodus – launched a mobilization campaign in September 2022 that has been making waves ever since. In addition, mercenary companies such as Wagner were taken over. A month ago, the Russian Defense Ministry reformed recruiting rules to remove a number of illnesses as grounds for exemption, expanding the list of civilians it can conscript.
Disagreement between Zelensky and Zaluzhni
The government's move has sparked controversy and another disagreement between the Ukrainian leader and armed forces commander Valery Zaluzhni, who called for an expansion of mobilization but criticized the setting of a target number. The numbers provide an indication of the number of victims and also of the army's potential, he argued. Analysts estimate the number of Ukrainian armed forces at one million, but this figure dates from the first moments of the great war.
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Many soldiers fighting at the front have not taken a vacation for months, many explain. “We are tired, I think more people need to come, but I don't believe in doing things with force,” said Andrei, a soldier stationed in a brigade on the Kharkiv front. “That requires motivation. If not, it doesn't work. On the other hand, more people are needed for all kinds of positions,” he adds. The recruitment and demobilization of those who have fought since the beginning of the great war has also led to unusual demonstrations by the wives and families of some of these soldiers who have been fighting for many months. Dozens of them meet every Saturday in central Kiev to demand that others “share this responsibility.”
Under current law, there is no maximum length of deployment during the martial law that Zelensky imposed on the first day of the war and which, among other things, prohibits men of military age from leaving the country. The new proposal sets a maximum duration of 36 months, although Zaluzhni has stressed that this demobilization will only be possible if there is no escalation on the battlefield and Ukraine has sufficient reserves.
The recent controversial cases of corruption uncovered among several human resources managers – they received large bribes to avoid the call and manipulate the papers – are also not helping to attract new employees. The new regulation, which the Rada is currently debating – and which could undergo changes – stipulates that recruitment agencies can send calls via email or other electronic platforms. Now they are sent to the last known address, although there are also (controversial) cases where they were delivered on the street.
The proposed decree also states that the consular services will require Ukrainians abroad to present their military documents in order to issue a passport or other procedures. In addition, those who evade compulsory military service face prison sentences of up to five years and the loss of all social benefits.
On the other hand, the White House reported on Thursday evening that Russia used short-range ballistic missiles from North Korea in the last two massive air strikes against Ukraine. John Kirby, US national security spokesman, described these weapons shipments documented by Washington intelligence as “a significant and worrying escalation”. Moscow and Pyongyang have denied signing arms deals.
According to information from Washington, the Kremlin used one of these missiles in its attack a week ago. On Tuesday, Russia used “several” North Korean projectiles in another massive attack, primarily targeting the capital Kiev and Kharkiv in the east. The Kremlin also intends to purchase missiles from Iran, Kirby said. Tehran already supplies Moscow with military drones, which it uses in large quantities in its attacks on Ukraine.
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