People's deputies support the idea of demobilization.
Almost two years after the start of full-scale Russian aggression in Ukraine, the issue of demobilization of military personnel . In particular, the Verkhovna Rada is currently putting forward and discussing a variety of initiatives related to demobilization and causing a huge resonance in society. And one of the documents, according to which Ukrainian defenders can voluntarily retire from military service 18 months after conscription under martial law, has already been registered in parliament. “Apostrophe” found out what prospects there are for demobilization and how it can affect the country’s combat capability.
Demobilization or rotation?
In Ukraine, voluntary dismissal from military service during martial law is not currently provided for by law, and the terms of service for mobilized and contract soldiers are not limited. Which, in principle, is logical - there is a war going on, every bayonet counts. Especially considering the problems with mobilization - if in the first days of the full-scale Russian invasion there were queues at the military registration and enlistment offices (and many were not taken to the front), now there are not enough fighters at the front. It’s not catastrophic, but there is a negative trend.
“Now politicians need to be very careful with statements regarding “demobilization”; in conditions of war it is dangerous to start it. There is only one option for demobilization: if the country decides to capitulate. But this is not our case. It is more logical to talk about rotation so that the military has the opportunity to rest and gain strength. But demobilization under current conditions is a dangerous decision. Even taking into account the “home mobilization”, it takes time to recruit people, train them, rotate them in units and formations - all this takes months of work. And the enemy is building up his forces ,” said the head of the Council of Reservists of the Ground Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Ivan Timochko, in a commentary to Apostrophe TV.
Despite this, various issues of introducing demobilization mechanisms are discussed in Ukrainian politics - 18 or 36 months after mobilization. For example, bill No. 10294 “On amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On Military Duty and Military Service” on the dismissal from military service during martial law of military personnel who are undergoing military service on conscription during mobilization and who have served the term established by law has already been registered in parliament services."
Another option for conditional demobilization is an increase in the number of vacation days or a large rotation.
“As for rotations, they are not available everywhere. In fact, people have been fighting for almost two years now, and the maximum they have is vacation. My bill says that demobilization is possible within three months from the date of submission of the report. That is, a person simply cannot leave the army in one day. There will be a transition period during which another fighter will take his place. Secondly, this is demobilization at will, and I know for sure that there are military personnel who will continue to fight ,” says MP, author of bill No. 10294 Alexey Goncharenko, to Apostrophe.
In a word, no one, naturally, is going to just take and bleed the Ukrainian army by demobilizing the fighters who want it.
Moral incentive
Such demobilization bills have quite tangible benefits. In a situation where many Ukrainians have been fighting for almost two years, quite a few people liable for military service are trying by hook or by crook to evade their duty to defend their homeland. Because they see the future in rather gloomy colors. And then they say - don’t worry, a year and a half - and go home. In a word – incentive.
“The average age of those mobilized is 40 years old, people are exhausted - both physically and mentally. Especially when they understand that mobilization is a one-way ticket: either you return disabled or in a coffin. This prospect is truly frightening. But when there is a certain deadline, this is hope. Yes, there are vacations, everything is according to the law - 30 days a year, paid. There are leaves for injury and for family reasons. But someone is just tired and looks like a dried vegetable. What's the use of it? If they want, they should be given the opportunity to resign. Moreover, people are also needed in the rear ,” Vadim, a shooter of one of the infantry units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, tells Apostrophe.
But for now, in conditions where the problems of mobilization have not been resolved globally, it is somehow ridiculous to talk about impending demobilization. No matter what incentive it is. Other incentives: increased payments to the military, increased pay for those fighters who want to fight after 18 months - for some reason are not offered now. In a word, deputies are now trying to harness the cart before the horse.
“Only one process – demobilization – cannot proceed without solving the main problem today – mobilization. All bills on this topic must be linked, otherwise it is just populism. And it must be stated that it is not just demobilization (they say, he left military service - that’s all), but a transfer to the reserve. As it was in the ATO. Still, people who have gained significant combat experience are very valuable military personnel ,” political scientist Oleg Lesny tells Apostrophe.
Now, at a minimum, we must wait for the changes in the field of mobilization announced by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
“The work of recruiting centers, in a word, is “mobilization with a human face,” and not the way it happens now ,” says Oleg Lesny.
And issues with demobilization are the next step. There's definitely no rush at this point. At least in the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence, many have not even seen this bill No. 10294. There are more important things to do.
