In Kyiv, Ukrainian Hanna Bondar had pinned her hopes on a new mobilization law aimed at bringing her husband back home after over two grueling years of war. However, those hopes were dashed when the parliament passed the bill without specifying a timeframe for soldiers' release from active duty. With Ukrainian troops significantly outnumbered by Russian forces, soldiers like Bondar's husband, who have been in the fray since the full-scale invasion in February 2022, face the possibility of prolonged deployment. Bondar, advocating for her husband's demobilization, expressed her frustrations during protests, emphasizing the need for clarity regarding the terms of release.
Months of deliberation preceded the signing of the mobilization bill into law by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on April 16, backed by a parliamentary majority of 283 votes. Amidst over 4,000 revisions, concerns over the overwhelming presence of Russian troops on the eastern frontlines loomed large. The new law abolishes service limits, mandating men aged 18 to 60 to keep their military information updated for potential conscription. Failure to comply may result in denial of consular services for Ukrainian men residing abroad, coupled with fines for draft evasion.
As casualties mount and motivation dwindles amidst the ongoing conflict, the absence of clear demobilization terms exacerbates soldiers' apprehensions about continued deployment. The omission of a clause allowing troops to rotate out after 36 months of combat, under pressure from Ukrainian commanders, further compounds uncertainties. Vadym Yaschenko, a resident of Kyiv, stressed the importance of defined timelines for demobilization to alleviate anxieties among servicemen.
Experts suggest that demobilization decisions should align with the identification of new reserves, with U.S. officials warning of potential collapse within Ukraine's military due to severe ammunition shortages. Mykhailo Samus, director of the New Geopolitics Research Network, outlined a strategy wherein the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces would assess available reserves to balance mobilization and demobilization efforts effectively.
The impending months carry immense significance for Ukraine, anticipating a major offensive from Russian forces in late spring or summer. For individuals like Hanna Bondar, the agonizing wait for the return of loved ones persists amidst the uncertainties of wartime separation. Bondar, emotionally recounting her experience, reflects on the profound difficulty of being left alone while her husband serves on the frontlines.
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