Ukraine's Parliament Enhances Military Recruitment Efforts by Cancelling Demobilization Plans

Ukraine’s parliament has decided not to implement a plan that would have allowed soldiers who have been fighting on the frontlines for extended periods to come home on rotation. Instead, they have passed a draft law aimed at increasing the number of soldiers in the military.

For months, Ukrainian lawmakers have been discussing whether the soldiers who have been serving the longest should be given the opportunity to return home. There has been a debate on whether Russia’s continuous aggression leaves no room for allowing tired soldiers to take a break, leading to public outcry.

Soldiers who have served for more than 36 months were supposed to be allowed to demobilize and go back home. However, this provision was removed from a draft law after Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and military commander Oleksandr Syrskyi intervened, as per Ukrainian lawmakers.

On Thursday, the draft law was approved with 283 votes in favor. It includes various measures aimed at giving a much-needed boost to Ukraine's military. The extensive debate over the law saw a total of 4,269 amendments being made, highlighting the challenges faced in crafting the legislation.

The government is required by law to propose new legislation to enhance the rotation of military personnel under martial law. This indicates that the demobilization issue is expected to continue to be addressed.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy inspects new fortifications for Ukrainian servicemen, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near Russian border in Kharkiv region, Ukraine, April 9, 2024. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visited new fortifications being built for Ukrainian servicemen near the Russian border in the Kharkiv region on April 9, 2024. The visit took place amidst Russia's ongoing attack on Ukraine. The images from the visit were provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Service and distributed by Reuters.

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Ukraine is not only facing a shortage of manpower but also dealing with ammunition shortages. According to the commander of US European Command, Chris Cavoli, the Russians are currently firing five times more artillery shells than the Ukrainians. This number is expected to increase to 10 to one in a matter of weeks.

The morning after heavy Russian strikes on its energy infrastructure, Ukraine woke up to another day of challenges. Missile and drone attacks led to major power outages in the Kharkiv region, leaving over 200,000 people without electricity. Additionally, Odesa, Lviv, Zaporizhzhia, and Kyiv regions were also targeted.

Dozens of wives and relatives of servicemen protested outside Ukraine’s parliament on Thursday. They were against a draft law and wanted demobilization deadlines to be included.

Anastasia Bulba, whose husband Vitalii joined the military right after Russia's invasion in February 2022, said that Ukraine’s soldiers are uncertain about when they can return to their families.

She expressed concern that the country's defenders, who are crucial for the independence of the nation, have been misled. She emphasized the importance of mobilization for successful demobilization and attributed the failure to the authorities, not to the soldiers' husbands.

Young recruits undergo military training at a recruiting center in Kyiv in April.

Young recruits undergo military training at a recruiting center in Kyiv in April.

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The issue of mobilization has bedeviled Ukrainian lawmakers for months, as the needs of its military clash with political constraints.

Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the former commander of Ukraine’s military, pointed out in a CNN article that Ukraine needs to recognize the enemy's advantage in mobilizing human resources, while state institutions struggle to increase manpower in the armed forces without resorting to unpopular measures.

Zaluzhnyi reportedly suggested to President Volodymyr Zelensky to strengthen Ukraine’s military with 500,000 new troops, even though he did not explicitly ask for that exact number. The proposal sparked public discussion.

Zelensky publicly expressed concerns about the figure, emphasizing the significance of the number in terms of people, justice, defense capabilities, and finances. Zaluzhnyi was subsequently dismissed in February.

In a later interview with CNN, Zelensky highlighted the importance of fair recruitment in mobilizing more troops.

Rotation of exhausted personnel at the front line is crucial, as mobilization relies on the number of troops at the front and the reserves available, according to officials.

Recently, President Zelensky approved a law to decrease Ukraine's minimum conscription age from 27 to 25. The parliament had approved this change in May 2023, but it was only signed into law by the president almost a year later.

It is not clear when the draft law passed Thursday will receive presidential approval.

CNN’s Natasha Bertrand contributed reporting.

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the ongoing debate in Ukraine over the rotation of soldiers fighting on the frontlines. While the parliament has passed a draft law aimed at increasing military personnel, the issue of allowing soldiers to come home on rotation remains unresolved. The government is legally obligated to propose new legislation to enhance rotation, indicating that this matter will continue to be addressed.

The article also sheds light on the challenges faced by Ukraine in mobilizing troops and addressing ammunition shortages. The country is facing a significant disadvantage in artillery firepower compared to Russia. The article emphasizes the importance of fair recruitment and rotation for the effectiveness of mobilization efforts. As the war continues, Ukraine must find a balance between meeting the needs of its military and addressing the concerns of soldiers and their families.