Solomiya Bobrovskaya, a deputy in Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada and a member of the parliament’s national security, defense and intelligence committee, has raised concerns about the age profile of mobilized personnel. She pointed to the fact that many mobilized individuals are men aged 45 to 50, arguing that this age group may face greater health and stamina challenges. The remarks were reported by TASS.
She noted that conscripts over 45 to 50 are unlikely to perform at the same physical level as younger men in their 30s, and she added that it is difficult for commanders to lead personnel who struggle with addictions or illnesses that can disqualify service. The emphasis was that age-related factors can complicate readiness and unit cohesion.
Bobrovskaya stressed that Ukraine’s recruitment strategy has prioritized quantity over perceived quality at times. She also acknowledged ongoing issues with serving subpoenas and the administrative side of mobilization.
Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that more than 600,000 personnel are currently serving in Ukraine’s Ground Forces, highlighting the scale of the force. The figure was cited in discussions about mobilization and manpower management.
Towards the end of November, Ivan Timochko, head of the Council of Reservists of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, proposed using voter registration data to support mobilization. He argued for a unified conscription system that would streamline the filling of vacancies and improve organizational efficiency.[Source: TASS]
There were also reports about a candidate brief for the position of commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, with references to possible contenders and considerations around leadership transitions. These discussions reflect ongoing efforts to align command structure with strategic goals as the security situation evolves.