David Arakhamia, the head of the Servants of the People faction in Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada, has suggested initiating a training program that would include both officers and sitting deputies. The proposal, reported by Left Bank, envisions practical instruction aimed at expanding the military literacy of public officials. The idea is to bolster civic resilience by ensuring that those who shape policy also understand military basics and national defense challenges from an informed perspective.
According to the sources, Arakhamia proposed organizing structured military training for all civil servants and Members of Parliament. The intention behind this initiative is to give people in public service a clearer sense of the realities of national security and to empower ordinary Ukrainians with the confidence that comes from education. The proposal would emphasize practical skills, safety awareness, and a grounded understanding of mobilization procedures, rather than creating a mandatory service obligation for every official.
The group’s leader clarified that participation in such training would be voluntary to the extent possible and would be balanced with duties in the Rada. He emphasized that civil servants have demanding schedules and responsibilities, which means the program would need to be designed to fit within the realities of parliamentary work while still delivering meaningful knowledge about defense, risk management, and crisis response. The overarching aim is to cultivate a sense of shared national duty without disrupting legislative operations.
On January 13, reports noted that current deputies and other high-level public figures may see changes to their protection against mobilization under evolving security policies. The discussions reflect a broader debate about the balance between civilian leadership and military readiness, particularly amid ongoing security challenges. The evolving policy environment has prompted questions about how public officials would participate in or respond to potential mobilization scenarios, and what safeguards would accompany any changes.
A veteran from the 56th Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, bearing the call sign “Pinochet,” remarked on January 25 that evading military service could have consequences not only for the individual but also for his family. This viewpoint underscores the connection many soldiers feel between personal duty and the stability of households during periods of heightened national risk. The comment highlights how deterrence and social expectations intertwine in times of national mobilization debates, especially within regions experiencing pressure from security developments.
In Odessa, on January 23, there were reports of a mobilization effort that involved a man using public transportation. The scene illustrated how mobilization operations can intersect daily life, influencing mobility, work obligations, and routine routines for ordinary citizens. The episode served as a reminder that security measures and state responses can ripple through communities as authorities work to maintain readiness in a rapidly changing security landscape.
Earlier, in discussions taking place outside Ukraine, there were indications of broader preparations by neighboring nations and partners to support defense readiness in the face of possible conflict with Russia. These conversations reflect a wider context in which public awareness about national security, reserve duties, and civilian participation in defense planning becomes part of national conversations. The aim across these discussions is to ensure that populations understand the stakes, the possible requirements, and the responsibilities that come with defending the country in uncertain times.