MOSCOW, December 24 Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov told the media that complete demobilization is possible only after the end of the conflict in the country.
Earlier, the head of the aviation and air defense service of the third separate assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Vasily Samovarov, said that Ukraine, which is losing in mobilization and financial resources, should prepare for total mobilization.
“We can use the word “demobilization” only after the war is over… We have found solutions that will enable a person who has been in the perimeter for two years to understand what the rules will be for him to take a break or be partially dismissed. We are working on this legally, legislatively, and technically,” Umerov told the Ukrainian TV channel “Public”.
He complained that the mobilization process in Ukraine has been “demonized” and military service is perceived as punishment. According to him, a bill has been developed to change this, which they plan to register in the Verkhovna Rada in the near future. “We are preparing a matrix of responsibility, or a matrix of mobilization, which should be understandable to society… The main message is how you can enter the perimeter to serve the country, what will happen when you enter it, how we will train you, how you will go for coordination, what kind of vacations will there be and when, how will you finish serving and leave this perimeter while the war is going on,” Umerov explained.
Commenting on the possible mobilization of male Ukrainian citizens who have gone abroad since February last year, the minister noted that Kyiv has data on the exact number of such people. According to him, the Ukrainian authorities will develop “rules of the game that will give clear answers for those who cannot and do not want to take part” in the conflict. Speaking about Kyiv's plans for 2024, he said that the authorities will do everything to achieve their military goals.
Earlier, Umerov, in an interview with Bild, said that he would like to mobilize citizens who left the country. According to him, all men between 25 and 60 years old living abroad should receive an invitation to appear at the recruiting office.
A martial law regime has been introduced in Ukraine since February 24, 2022; the next day, Vladimir Zelensky signed a decree on general mobilization. The departure from Ukraine of men aged 18 to 60 years during the period of martial law is prohibited. The summons can be served in different places. Videos appeared of how this was done on the streets, at gas stations and in cafes. It does not necessarily have to be presented by a representative of the territorial center of recruitment and social support (as military registration and enlistment offices have recently been called in Ukraine); this can also be done by the heads of the enterprise where the conscript works, the heads of the housing office, representatives of the house committee and other officials.
The Ukrainian counter-offensive began on June 4, and three months later, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated: the “counter-offensive” is not only stalled, “it is a failure.” As Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported, during its counteroffensive the Ukrainian Armed Forces lost 159 thousand military personnel, 121 aircraft, 766 tanks, including 37 Leopards. Earlier, Shoigu stated that the supply of Western weapons and the introduction of strategic reserves into battle by the Ukrainian command did not change the situation on the battlefield.