by Lance LuoDecember 2, 2023 6:37 AM2 min read
President Volodymyr Zelensky on Dec. 1 said changes to mobilization are necessary as he ordered a strategic turn focused on defense following a lackluster counteroffensive in Ukraine’s southern regions.
“Everything necessary for our state, our brigades. These specific results must be calculated precisely. This includes issues of mobilization,” Zelensky said.
In November, the BBC reported official EU data revealing 650,000 Ukrainian men of fighting age had fled Ukraine and received residency in Europe. The real figure is thought to be much higher because many refugees are not officially registered in the EU or may have fled to other popular destinations such as the U.S. or Canada.
“Everyone in Ukraine understands that changes are needed in this area,” Zelensky stressed.
Under martial law, male citizens between the ages of 18–60 are generally prohibited from leaving the country. Exemptions exist for medical, education, and business reasons.
“These are comprehensive things that military leadership and the Ministry of Defense have to work out and present to the staff for approval.”
Mobilization is a highly controversial topic in Ukraine because it is widely known that bribes can be paid to avoid being drafted. Falsified medical certificates can be purchased for as little as $3,000.
Zelensky in August dismissed all officials in charge of regional military recruitment centers amid a widespread corruption scandal, vowing criminal investigations into profiteering schemes.
But both the quantity and quality of fresh recruits have been lacking as the war drags on.
“Ukraine needs infantry in top physical shape,” a senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies told the Financial Times on Nov. 26.
The average age of Ukrainian troops on the battlefield is 30-40, or about a decade older than usual recruits.
The shift in strategy comes as Russian leader Vladimir Putin ordered an increase of 170,000 troops for Russia’s armed forces.
“In November, the BBC reported official EU data revealing 650,000 Ukrainian men of fighting age had fled Ukraine and received residency in Europe. The real figure is thought to be much higher because many refugees are not officially registered in the EU….”
I readily admit that I did not serve in the military and perhaps my comment could be considered hypocritical, however, I did not run during the draft and was ready to serve if called upon. That said, these individuals who ran and did not return should be ashamed for the rest of their lives that others took up the torch for their freedom. Can’t speak what’s in their hearts or the reason for their actions, but their actions do speak for themselves….coward, selfish, traitor, expatriot, betrayer, deserter, etc.
Certainly not the character of the many Ukrainians that have been a part of my entire life. Sad, simply sad….
Sir Cap, the story about the purported 650,000 military aged men fleeing Ukraine is not legit.
Thanks Sir OFP. I got the article off Kyiv Independent site. Didn’t think they would carry dubious articles
Damn! I had no idea it was that many. I thought it was just a few thousand.
The quoted amount is maybe 20% of Ukraine’s men of fighting age?
Already we know that Ukrainian infantrymen are averaging 40, instead of early 20’s. Some tankers that went to Britain for training were 70 or over!
Desperate diseases call for desperate remedies. It looks like the press gangs need to be revived and out in force. The putinaZis cannot be defeated without 1.5m combat troops plus reserves.
The rat nazi just mobilised 175,000 new orcs. No doubt they are the usual dregs: inbreds, murderers, rapists, thieves, halfwits etc. But no matter, it’s a huge amount to have to kill.
To put it in context, if the British army was urgently required to deploy 175,000 trained combat troops overseas, it could just about be done; at a push. But there would be almost no pros left to defend the island.
The population of the U.K. is more than half that of putlerstan, but we can only field approximately 10% of putler’s forces.
It’s fucking insane.
It seems like Ukraine is going to need mercs; shitloads of them.
After the war : and please God let it be soon, Ukraine faces another problem. The 650,000
draft dodgers are likely to have skills that Ukraine will need. Therefore they will require guarantees of non-persecution when they return. Obviously many will never return, but those that do will be needed.
But imagine a potential employer asking an applicant: “what did you do in the war?”
“I fucked off to the EU” is not going to go down well.
Sir Scradgel I agree wholeheartedly. I thought it was only in the US that we have self centered idiots in the GenZ generation. I guess I’m wrong. They’re all over the world. Definitely not the Ukie DNA that I know of.
Sorry to have to say this, but it’s an existential struggle. I’m afraid that recruiting officers now have no choice but to raid sports clubs, colleges and anywhere else where fit young guys hang out. I can’t stand the thought of those 40 year old guys having to fight in the trenches. It just ain’t right. Also, I can’t stand seeing beautiful young girls wearing camo, when they should be having the time of their lives. But they are great and I understand why they do it.
Scradge, the original story is from the Austrian news site Exxpress. It’s not trustworthy.
How do they come up with the number 650,000? According to Eurostat, 4.2 million Ukrainians have filled for asylum as of Nov. 2023. This would mean that one out of every 6 woman, child, underage and overage Ukrainian male is a man between 18 and 60. I don’t buy that even for one minute. I’ve been to and from Ukraine 8 times since this war started, and I never saw such individuals in such numbers in the buses, planes, trains, or in the terminals. The vast majority are women, then children. Old men and teenaged guys make up a fraction. Males between 18 and 60 are as rare as bears in Central Park.
The origin of the original article is the Austrian news site Exxpress. I emphasize AUSTRIAN. I checked this “news” provider’s credentials and found out that they are not very trustworthy. Shame on BBC for using this rag’s piece of sensationalism! I’ll take my pinch of salt now…
Sir OFP you could be right but the 650,000 represents about 15% of the 4.2mm seeking asylum. That doesn’t seem outrageous speaking strictly from a mathematical perspective. You’re closer to the European media than I am so I would yield to you. However if the average age of the frontlines is 30 to 40 year olds, that does tell me something, and it’s not positive about GenZ.
Sir Cap, if I can’t trust my own eyes, what can I trust? I see masses of civilian men between those ages when I’m in the country. I even know numerous individuals in this age range who are civilians. The average age of Ukrainian frontline soldiers is 43, but, this means exactly what? If I use the observations that I make, this tells me that for some reason, the AFU prefers this age range. And don’t forget that according to current laws, no one under the age of 27 can be drafted. Of course, this bumps up the average age of the army.