In February 2022, when Russian troops and tanks invaded Ukraine, there was a surge of patriotic fervor as tens of thousands of Ukrainians rushed to serve in the army. This influx of fighters helped repel Russia’s initial assault and thwart the Kremlin’s plans to decapitate the Ukrainian government.
However, after nearly two years of fighting, Ukraine is once again in need of fresh troops to fend off a new Russian push. Military leaders can no longer rely solely on enthusiasm as more men are avoiding military service, and calls to demobilize exhausted frontline soldiers have grown.
The change in mood has sparked heated debates over a new mobilization bill that could lead to drafting up to 500,000 troops. The bill was introduced in Parliament last month but was quickly withdrawn for revision.
Discontent in Ukrainian society about the army recruitment process has been catalyzed by the bill, which has been denounced as riddled with corruption and increasingly aggressive. Many lawmakers have raised concerns about potential human rights violations.
The biggest sticking point concerns the highly delicate issue of mass mobilization. Experts see measures that would make conscription easier as paving the way for a large-scale draft, which some military officials have said is needed to make up for losses on the battlefield and withstand another year of fierce fighting.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has appeared unwilling to take responsibility for instituting a major draft, instead asking his government and the army to come up with more arguments supporting this move. The military has suggested that mass mobilization is an issue for the civilian government, potentially exacerbating tensions between Mr. Zelensky and his top commander, Valery Zaluzhny.
Petro Burkovsky, the head of the Democratic Initiatives Foundation, described the issue as a “hot potato,” emphasizing the need for someone to be politically responsible for addressing the challenge of mustering enough soldiers.
The need to replenish the Ukrainian armed forces has been evident for months, posing a significant challenge as foreign military and financial aid becomes harder to come by, threatening to weaken Kyiv’s ability to hold the front line and support its economy.
The situation in Ukraine remains complex and multifaceted, with the issue of mobilization at the forefront of political and military discussions.
2024-01-28 16:37:19
Article from www.nytimes.com