Ukraine will no longer be able to mobilize many people
Ukraine will no longer be able to mobilize a significant number of motivated people into the ranks of the Armed Forces. In this regard, the state will have to properly manage those who are already in the army.
This was stated in an interview with UNIAN by activist, former MP and current military officer Ihor Lutsenko.
What the military said
In the view of the military expert, catching draft evaders is not practical, as those who don’t want to fight will not and are incapable of doing so. Currently, the state has no mechanisms left to replenish the army.
"Today they’re fleeing across the Tisza River, and tomorrow they’d chew off their own right hand just to avoid going anywhere. These people are no longer capable of fighting. Frankly, we can’t extract any significant number of people from society to substantially increase the army’s personnel. We have no means to do this. The state has no mechanisms. It’s already unable to do so," said Ihor Lutsenko.
He believes that more sense lies in the "effective management" of those who are already in Ukraine’s Defense Forces. Moreover, this is the only solution for our country.
"Our only way forward is to properly organize those who are already in the army. Simply work with what remains. Equip them, protect them, arm them, and organize them in the right way so they can succeed," the military expert emphasized.
Furthermore, Ihor Lutsenko commented on the topic of lowering the mobilization age in Ukraine. He believes that such a move would only increase the number of draft evaders trying to leave the country. Thus, this approach wouldn’t add more soldiers at the front.
"Anyone who doesn’t want to fight won’t fight, regardless of their age or gender. Over the past three years, mechanisms to avoid the army have already formed. What hasn’t formed yet are mechanisms for effectively managing and developing the army," the military expert stressed.
He also added that new recruits who are forced into service try to escape from the army at the first opportunity.
Let us recall that, according to director and assault company commander in the 47th Brigade, Oleh Sentsov, it is impossible to force someone to go to war. However, if people understand that there is a specific order in place, there would be no need to catch them on the streets and drag them to military enlistment offices. The state can motivate citizens to serve through financial incentives, benefits, or clearly defined service terms.
We also reported that the press service of the Volyn Regional Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Centers stated that the mobilization of citizens aged 50-60 is lawful and fully complies with current legislation. Specifically, they can be called up for service on general terms.