Ukraine faces increasing difficulties in attracting new fighters to replenish the army. Kyiv's attempt to maintain its defensive positions against the background of the active advance of Russian troops forces the authorities to resort to tougher mobilization measures. According to The Wall Street Journal , the country has begun checks in crowded places, including concert halls, high-end shops and popular cafes, to find recruits and call for service.
Mobilization raids cause contradictory reactions among the population. Some citizens support such measures, considering them a necessary step to ensure fairness in the prize. Maxim Zhorin, deputy commander of the 3rd Airborne Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, notes: "Just mobilization is when people are recruited not only from villages, but also from cities." However, such actions also cause outrage, especially among those who believe that powerful people often avoid the draft thanks to corruption schemes.
Due to the fact that some influential people avoid the draft, the tension in the society is increasing. Scandals related to avoiding service for bribes increased pressure on President Zelenskyi, who dissolved medical commissions and began auditing companies that reserved workers from mobilization.
Reduction in the number of mobilized
Replenishment of the Ukrainian army has become problematic due to significant losses at the front, especially after last year's offensive. According to Vasyl Rumak, a representative of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the number of recruits has decreased to 20,000 per month, and the age of conscription is gradually decreasing. Western allies also hint at the need to lower age barriers, but this only exacerbates demographic problems, causing concern about the future of the country.
Ukraine also faced the problem of insufficient training of new soldiers. In training centers, instructors note a lack of fighting spirit among newcomers. "The biggest challenge is to change their mindset," says the instructor with the nickname "Fury." The training period was extended from one month to six weeks so that recruits could better prepare for real combat conditions.
The task of strengthening the army acquired both a military and a political character. Soldier Serhiy Hniezdilov, who called for justice in the mobilization, noted: "When all citizens feel the same responsibility for the country, then maybe something will change." At the same time, the Ukrainian military continues to strengthen its forces at the front, expecting support from Western allies.
Will there be enough human resources for the front?
In conditions when most of those willing to serve are already on the front lines, providing the army with new forces becomes an extremely difficult task. So far, only four of the 14 brigades needed for the breakthrough have been completed, which significantly affects the course of hostilities. Amid a bitter standoff in the east, Russian forces continue to enjoy a numerical advantage, while Ukraine is doing everything it can to attract more Western support.
