After almost two years of military service on the front lines of the Russian-Ukrainian war, Alina’s husband finds himself "enraged" about the new mobilisation law in Kyiv, Ukraine.
The law, adopted by Ukraine’s parliament on Thursday following months of debates and almost 4,300 revisions, has left Alina's husband and his fellow soldiers dumbfounded. The law scraps service limits, which were previously set at 36 months of service. Now, without these limits, and with the failure of last year’s counteroffensive and delays in Western military aid, soldiers like Alina’s husband realize that their service may only end with disability or death.
Alina, who resides in Kyiv with her two children, expressed their sentiments, stating, “The government humiliated and offended them. They’re not eternal. They want to see their children grow, to be at home.”
The provision for demobilisation was removed at the request of Ukraine’s military leaders, citing a severe shortage of servicemen, especially in eastern Ukraine, where the conflict is most intense. Joint Forces Commander Yurii Sodol stressed the urgent need for the law, stating that the enemy outnumbers Ukrainian forces significantly.
However, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while supportive of the law, has refrained from announcing a formal mobilisation to avoid backlash and protests, preferring to focus on its passage. The law, which received 283 votes in favor out of 450 in parliament, primarily gained support from Zelenskyy’s party, Servant of the People.
Despite its provisions to increase pay for front-line service and death benefits for families, the law faces criticism from political rivals, particularly for the removal of service limits. Volodymyr Aryev, a lawmaker from the European Solidarity party, criticized the law, stating, “The government wrote it to treat defenders like a resource, not like heroes.”
Following its adoption, the parliament called on the government to develop an additional bill addressing demobilisation and rotation of servicemen on the front lines.
The removal of service limits has particularly incensed seasoned soldiers, many of whom began their service in 2014 during the initial escalation of the conflict.
Artem Osipyan, a psychologist-turned-serviceman, expressed his frustration on Facebook, questioning the significance of his life and the perpetual nature of his service.
Even younger servicemen, like Taras, who signed up for three years of service expecting a clear end date, now find themselves facing uncertainty. Taras remarked, “Looks like I’m serving until the victory,” reflecting the ambiguity surrounding their service duration.
For families of servicemen, the uncertainty about demobilisation is disheartening. One wife expressed concern, stating, “You don’t have to be at war until you die; you need to know when your service ends.”
Moreover, the uncertainty surrounding service limits has deterred potential conscripts. While there was initial enthusiasm for volunteering, reports of severe losses and poor conditions in the military have dampened enthusiasm. The new law aims to modernize conscription processes, moving from a paper-based system to an electronic registry to prevent corruption.
However, forced conscription has become prevalent, with many men drafted from rural areas, while others avoid public spaces to evade conscription patrols. The need for better training for conscripts is also emphasized by some soldiers.
As Ukraine grapples with the ongoing conflict and the challenges of mobilisation, the fate of its servicemen remains uncertain, with many facing the prospect of indefinite service on the front lines.
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