Military official explains mobilization priorities, training before deployment to front
General
mobilization in Ukraine has been underway since Feb. 24, 2022, and all men
between the ages of 18 and 60 are considered liable for military service and
can be drafted and sent to the front after basic training.
While martial law remains in effect in Ukraine, all men between the ages of 18 and 60 are considered liable for military service and can be issued draft notices and subsequently mobilized into the ranks of the Defense Forces.
Persons liable for military service who have no experience of military service are sent for training, which lasts from one to three months, and some are sent abroad for training in allied countries.
General mobilization and martial law have been extended until Aug. 18 in Ukraine, which means that everyone can be mobilized. Authorized persons can serve notices in any public place, as not all aspects of mobilization are clearly regulated by law.
Col. Volodymyr Arap, head of the Kharkiv Oblast Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support, said mobilization is proceeding according to objectives set by Ukraine's General Staff. The territorial centers (TC) for recruitment and social support are following directives and fulfilling the mobilization quotas.
"As before, citizens liable for military service aged 18 to 60 who are not eligible for a deferment are subject to mobilization," he explained.
Who is being mobilized and who will undergo training
First of all, men who speak foreign languages at a high level and who can master Western weapons very quickly receive call-up papers.
"Now we have a request for citizens who speak English, German, and French at a high level," added Arap.
“Such specialists are needed to cooperate with foreign instructors who help our service members master the latest types of weapons received from international partners.”
He emphasized that men who have no experience in service are not sent immediately to the front. Instead, they are sent to training centers where their fate is decided.
According to the officer, the mobilized are immediately sent to designated military training centers and institutions. Later, representatives of these institutions analyze and study their character and ability to determine their further specialized training.
He noted that mobilized persons should not be called up to a military unit involved in the combat zone without professional training.
"This is strictly prohibited by the General Staff," stressed Col. Volodymyr Arap.
“Even people who have served in the military before are first sent to military training grounds, training centers, or advanced training courses. They are assigned to military units after a month or a month and a half of training.”
Under martial law, mobilization targets individuals who are fully fit or partially fit and liable for military service. Additionally, according to Col. Roman Horbach, Head of Personnel for the Ukrainian Ground Forces Command, those who are in better health and specialists needed on the front lines are prioritized.
"Of course, the personnel should be recruited if they are fit for health reasons, so priority is given to younger categories of persons liable for military service," he noted.
“As for the specialists... the Armed Forces have a need to recruit a range of specialties.”
Thus, mobilization prioritizes:
· men between the ages of 27 and 60 who are fit or partially fit for health reasons, speak foreign languages, and can master NATO equipment;
· men aged 18 to 27 who are fit or partially fit for health reasons, if they have completed military service and speak foreign languages and have the appropriate training to work with foreign equipment;
· persons previously removed from the military register if the Military Qualification Commission has recognized them fit for service and if they have no grounds for deferment or have not committed a serious crime and speak foreign languages and are ready to master Western military equipment.
Women in Ukraine are not conscripted, but they can get mobilized voluntarily. Men under 27 who have not served in the military can sign a contract for service.
People with disabilities and those entitled to deferral from mobilization for family reasons are mobilized only voluntarily and serve at their place of residence.
Mobilization of women in Ukraine
The officer stressed that since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, no woman has been forcibly conscripted for military service against her will. Instead, women are voluntarily mobilized and choose to serve in Ukraine's Armed Forces. The enlistment centers prioritize women with in-demand specialties and military experience.
"If a woman wants to join, has some military background or relevant job skills, and applies, we consider her candidacy and, if appropriate, approve her enlistment to defend our country," Arap concluded.
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