Ukraine needs more soldiers – Humeniuk commented on mobilization in Ukraine
Donetsk Oblast (Photo:REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach)
Ukraine needs more soldiers because of losses, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian military in the south, Natalia Humeniuk, said at a briefing in Ukraine Media Center Odesa on April 18.
"What may seem like something new is most likely just additional attention paid to this process,” she said.
“Unfortunately, we didn't fully use the potential of people who were driven by their inner motivation to come (to the army) at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. All responded to the army's needs in personnel but the army wasn't able to accept all of them at once – to summon, appoint to the positions, to distribute them.”
She noted that legislation is being improved and draft notices can now be delivered on the street or in other cities (than where someone is registered – ed.), for example.
"That is why we are now working on notices,” she said.
“Yes, it does not always suit everyone in terms of compliance with the rule of law. I ask for understanding as we are working in a time of war, when we desperately need to replenish our reserves. We can't fail because of staffing the army," Humeniuk said.
The current legislation has many loopholes which are being eaddressed, the spokesperson said.
"We can't wait, we can't postpone, we can't rewrite the legislation in a quick fix manner," she said.
Ukrainian Defense Minister, Oleksii Reznikov, said on April 8 that there are currently enough soldiers to compensate for losses in battle and that there is no need to expand mobilization.
A general mobilisation has been ongoing in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.
All persons liable for military service can be conscripted, taking into account their health conditions. Military law and general mobilisation in Ukraine has been extended to at least May 20, 2023.
A bill was submitted to Ukrainian Parliament on March 24 that allows voluntary demobilization for soldiers who served for 18 months during wartime. The text was published several days later.
We’re bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
