Military service is the most difficult political issue in Ukraine. The shortage of manpower is so great that reforms to the conscription law have been completed after months.
Antti Kuronen
Ukraine needs more soldiers. That’s clear.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyi shrugged earlier saying that Ukraine must get half a million new soldiers.
He later softened the statement, but the need is great.
International experts estimate that Russia recruits around 30,000 soldiers every month.
Ukraine’s challenge is that, that there are no volunteers to line up when the ammunition shortage worsens on the fronts. In addition, Russia has begun to produce large quantities of drones. Life in pottera is very dangerous.
In terms of recruitment, the problem is also that many who went to the front two years ago are still there.
How to get more troops is understandably Ukraine’s most difficult political problem.
Last year in Ukraine outdated military service laws could not be renewed.
Now the situation in Ukraine is more difficult and in a short time the parliament, the Rada, has approved two reform packages.
Ukraine has warned that Russia is planning a new attack in the summer.
The attack could come in the direction of Kharkiv in the northeast or, for example, in the area of Sumy in the north. In both directions, Russian attacks have increased.
Ukraine has a very long front to defend and it needs crews.
While Ukraine prepared for a counterattack last spring, this spring it is bracing itself for the worst.
So far, Russia has not managed to capture significant new territories, but fierce battles continue on the front lines.
President Zelenskyi approved the first reforms on military service last week.
The call-up age was reduced from 27 to 25 years.
In addition, it was decided to create a new, web-based invitation system.
Until now, summonses have been avoided by hiding inconspicuously.
The legal reforms approved in parliament today will tighten the system.
Those who avoid summonses may receive significant fines or lose their driver’s license.
Getting an exemption for health reasons becomes more difficult when the eligibility categories are reduced. Many have to undergo health checks again.
Perhaps the most controversial is the fact that no final limit was set for release from service. They promised to get back to it, but at the moment the service times seem to be getting even longer.
Those who voluntarily join the defense forces are offered carrots instead.
Some in Parliament said that these reforms are insufficient, the sanctions too soft and the rewards too small.
Ukraine’s effort to the last during the two years has been exceptional by all measures.
There is still a will to defend and the Ukrainian troops stop Russian advance attempts every day, especially in the south and east.
Ukraine, on the other hand, cannot influence the support of its allies.
For example, the vital arms aid of the United States has become bogged down in the political games of the Republican Party’s Trumpites.
Ukraine still resolutely continues its defensive struggle and has begun to make uncomfortable decisions.