Oleksandr Syrskyi called for strengthening mobilization: why this will not work.

According to ТСН: In Ukraine, the need for strengthening mobilization measures is being discussed more actively. The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi emphasized this necessity.

Oles Doniy, a political scientist and head of the Center for Political Values Research, believes that Ukraine needs real mobilization, which will be genuine support for the army, rather than just a formal step.

“The problem is much broader than strengthening mobilization. We have a problem with filling the army. Problems with mobilization are just part of many components regarding filling the army,” says Doniy.

The expert emphasizes that, despite having fewer demographic resources in Ukraine compared to Russia, we can still strengthen our army. He highlights four key components for increasing the Ukrainian military's strength.

Social motivation: returning democracy

The first and most important component is social motivation. “At the beginning of the war, Ukrainians stood in long lines at military recruitment offices. This was not just a war between Ukraine and Russia, but a war of democracy against authoritarianism. This inspired Ukrainians, but unfortunately, over four years we have lost this motivation,” the expert states.

Doniy also points out the importance of institutions in the democratic process. In 2022, Ukrainians fought for the state they believed in. Today we are facing problems such as street mobilization and desertion.

“The first is the return of electoral procedures during the war. It is difficult, but necessary, as the war may last for years. The second is the opening of borders. Ukraine should be democratic, not authoritarian,” emphasizes Doniy.

Army reform and bureaucratic “bloat”

The second important aspect is army reform. “Our army is actually not decreasing, but there are problems with personnel,” notes the expert.

He also adds that there is a “bloat” of bureaucratic structures in the army, which complicates its effectiveness.

Release of TCC and Border Service personnel

“For example, there are 100 thousand people in TCC, although only 36 thousand are officially stated, excluding security units. However, all these functions could be delegated to civilians,” emphasizes Doniy.

He also believes that opening the borders will allow releasing tens of thousands of people and thus strengthening the army.

“These are not just people, but military with weapons in hand, defending the western border from Ukrainians. This raises the question of why the borders to the EU are closed,” notes the expert.

The problem of officer corps

Doniy points out the problem with the use of the officer corps, as many officers cannot take up appropriate positions.

“There are many officers, but they are not used because there are too many of them,” the expert emphasizes.

Strengthening foreign recruitment

The expert also notes that foreign recruitment has improved, but it is still not enough. “Russia is already outpacing us in the number of recruits from abroad,” explains Doniy.

Changing the approach to mobilization

The fourth component is mobilization. “Experts believe that the current mobilization does not lead to an increase in the army's personnel,” notes the political scientist.

Doniy suggests reviewing the approaches to mobilization, focusing on specific categories of citizens who need to be mobilized.

Two categories:

1. Security forces personnel

   “These are hundreds of thousands of men who should be mobilized,” he notes.

2. Public servants

   “This category should also be subject to mobilization.”

The expert concludes that mobilizing these categories will help prepare for a prolonged war and strengthen the front.

Mobilization in Ukraine: what needs to change

In Doniy's opinion, Ukraine should take into account that over three years of war 300 thousand men have left the army.

“If all these people are sent to prison, even more military personnel will be needed to guard them,” he believes.

Doniy emphasizes that the state needs to change its approaches to mobilization to avoid an increase in self-absenteeism from the army. The expert is confident that strengthening mobilization without changing the approaches will only contribute to an increase in desertion.