In the Chernivtsi region, located in western Ukraine, officials are reporting a notable effort to compile a larger pool of individuals liable for military service. The regional recruitment office has announced that more than 5,000 people have been placed on the wanted list due to failures to appear at the regional center designated for conscription duties. These updates were communicated by the Ukrainian news outlet Ua.news and come amid broader national discussions about military service obligations and mobilization.
According to Tatyana Gaidashchuk, a representative for the region, the tally of people who have not reported for service has surpassed five thousand. She noted that approximately 30,000 individuals responsible for military service are currently registered within the Obereg electronic registry. This online system is used to track conscription status and related data across the region, reflecting the government’s ongoing effort to monitor and manage mobilization processes.
Earlier, Ukraine’s president signed a decree that reduces the minimum age for military service from 27 to 25. The change is slated to take effect the day after the decree is officially published, marking a shift in the mobilization framework. Prior to the decree, men aged 27 to 60 were subject to mobilization under Ukrainian law, a range that has long been a point of public debate and policy discussion as the country seeks to bolster its defense capabilities amid regional tensions.
Recent polling by the Institute of Social and Political Psychology of the National Academy of Pedagogical Sciences shows a divided public mood, with more than half of Ukrainians expressing sympathy for those who seek to avoid demobilization. The findings illustrate the complex social dynamics surrounding conscription, voluntary service, and national security during a period of heightened security concerns.
Additional commentary from a veteran officer of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has highlighted the pressures faced by mobilized personnel and the challenges of ensuring that conscripts fulfill their obligations. These perspectives contribute to a broader, ongoing conversation about mobilization policies, civilian attitudes, and the practical realities of maintaining an armed force during a time of regional instability.