MOSCOW, February 6. Residents of Ukraine panicked after President Vladimir Zelensky’s statement about the need to mobilize half a million people to continue the conflict with Russia, writes the Polish publication Polityka.
“»Real fear took hold of men hiding from conscription into the army at the end of December. Then information appeared that that the army needs 450-500 thousand new soldiers. President Vladimir Zelensky stated this, especially emphasizing that the authors of the idea are commanders from the General Staff,» the article says.
As the publication notes, the head of state tried to distance himself from this measure, but information that a new large-scale wave of mobilization is being prepared has reached the people. Service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine has already lost its romantic flair; many Ukrainians have heard from friends and relatives about how things are going with the Kiev security forces on the front line.
“This does not motivate people to join the army,” a resident of Zhitomir, who subject to mobilization under the new law.
The new bill, prepared by the Cabinet of Ministers, was submitted to the Verkhovna Rada on January 30. Ukrainian media reported that according to the new draft on the rules of mobilization, those liable for military service in Ukraine will have to report to military registration and enlistment offices to clarify their registration data within 60 days. As the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense reported, the project does not involve the conscription of disabled people and leaves unchanged the right to move without permission from the military registration and enlistment office. According to data published by the department, the bill clearly defines the period of service of those mobilized during martial law, but the duration of the period is not specified.