The article discusses the challenges faced by Ukraine in demobilizing its soldiers after years of war. The country’s military has been stretched thin, with many soldiers serving for over three years, and the government is struggling to implement a demobilization plan.
The Defense Ministry had requested parliament to extend the deadline for drafting a demobilization bill until March 18, 2025, but no progress has been made as of July 21. Some bills submitted by MPs and parliamentary groups are effectively blocked, with the main parliamentary committee refusing to consider them.
Soldiers are facing uncertainty about their terms of service under martial law, which is causing anxiety and making it difficult for them to plan their lives. The current administrative fine for failing to report to the enlistment office or attend a medical exam ranges from Hr 17,000 to 25,000 ($405–$600), but this is not considered sufficient to motivate soldiers to take action.
The article quotes Iryna Friz of the parliamentary committee on national security, defense, and intelligence, saying that “From my point of view, this is a completely wrong and misguided position, because it directly affects the morale of those who have been in the combat zone since 2022. It is psychological, moral, and physical exhaustion, and it also directly impacts mobilization rates.”
The article also mentions a soldier named Dmytro, who has been serving in the 63rd Separate Mechanized Brigade, saying “Frankly, I hope that if not for the draft law on clear terms of service, the war will end sooner or later. But how will it end for us?”
Overall, the article highlights the difficulties faced by Ukraine in demobilizing its soldiers and the need for a clear plan to be implemented as soon as possible.
Key points from the article:
* Ukraine’s military has been stretched thin due to years of war
* The government is struggling to implement a demobilization plan
* Soldiers are facing uncertainty about their terms of service under martial law
* The current administrative fine for failing to report to the enlistment office or attend a medical exam is not sufficient to motivate soldiers to take action
* Some bills submitted by MPs and parliamentary groups are effectively blocked, with the main parliamentary committee refusing to consider them
Recommended action:
* Implement a clear demobilization plan as soon as possible
* Address the uncertainty faced by soldiers about their terms of service under martial law
* Increase the administrative fine for failing to report to the enlistment office or attend a medical exam to make it more effective in motivating soldiers to take action.
