“There are not enough people,” Shevchuk said. — We are running out of soldiers every day. Those who think they can sit in the back will not be able to do so. “There are not enough people because we have a large-scale war and for some reason the mobilization is not full-scale.”
According to Shevchuk, everyone who considers themselves a Ukrainian citizen must stand up to defend their country.
“The authorities and military-political leadership will figure this out sooner or later. There are no stupid people sitting there. And there is great hope for the new Minister of Defense (Rustem Umerov – socialbites.ca) that not only the introduction of some technologies into the life of the Ministry of Defense and the troops in general will lead not only to mass mobilization, but also to a tough fight. approach to this issue,” said Shevchuk.
The soldier said he “does not see anything wrong with military registration and registration offices and recruitment centers going and being taken over by those who actually have to fulfill their constitutional duties.”
“I don’t mind losing men on combat duty. We do not want to protect draft dodgers,” said Vladislav Shevchuk.
Mobilization continues
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky declared general mobilization on February 24, 2022, with the arrival of Russian troops in the country.
In August, the deadline for general mobilization (and martial law) was extended for the eighth time. elongated For 90 days – until November 15.
Mobilization concerns men between the ages of 18-60 who can do military service due to health reasons. They are prohibited from leaving the country.
Ukrainian authorities do not publicly disclose the size of their armed forces. However, on August 22, Alexey Reznikov, who was Minister of Defense at that time, statedNearly a million citizens have participated in the conflict in Ukraine since the spring of 2014, he said.
No need to expand the search
“There is no reason to talk today about the need to expand, accelerate or increase the number of mobilization measures,” Fyodor Venislavsky, presidential representative of the Verkhovna Rada and member of the parliament’s security and defense committee, said in an interview. with BBC.
The country is trying to build up reserves “necessary for attacking and liberating areas.”
“But today there is no reason to say that it is necessary to sharply increase the number of mobilized,” Venislavsky said.
Deputy Minister of Defense Alexander Pavlyuk said that Ukraine is doing everything not to increase the pace of mobilization. He reminded that defending the homeland is “every person’s duty”. Therefore, “we need to be prepared and ready for this.”
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Alexey Danilov said in an interview with NV that the mobilization is proceeding according to plan.
“We have not stopped the mobilization even for a day since 08:00 in the morning of February 24, 2022,” he assured. However, this is happening within our borders and within the plan in line with the instructions of our Armed Forces. <…> “We do not have obvious problems with mobilization, we do not feel them today.”
Working with draft dodgers
Verkhovna Rada deputy Yegor Chernev, deputy chairman of the Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence, says that general mobilization can be declared if there is a threat of losing statehood in the country.
“There are four stages of mobilization in Ukraine. The fourth suggests that all people go to war. We are currently in the second phase of mobilization. But if the country is in danger and there is a real threat of losing the state, then everyone will leave, as on February 24 (2022 – Ed.),” Chernev said in an interview with the information and political portal “Novosti”. LIVE” (Quote: RIA News).
Ukrainian officials acknowledge that there is a problem with draft dodgers in the country. For this reason, changes are being prepared in the regulations that will make their lives difficult.
“Proposals for amending the draft law regarding the conscription of those obliged to do military service have already been prepared. Thus, people can have IVC and all mobilization-related procedures done at their place of residence. Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Natalya Kalmykova said, “Currently, final approvals are ongoing on conceptual issues so that changes can be made in Ukrainian laws and normalization of military personnel accounting issues.”
In his opinion, “It is better to come on your own and find the unit you want to serve and mobilize.”
Vladimir Zelensky also said at a press conference in Kiev that representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine approached him with a request to mobilize more people.
“I’ll be honest, the army approached me to give me the opportunity to mobilize more. “I can’t tell you anything more for now,” the head of state said.