Three Steps to Improve Mobilization Proposed by Ukraine’s Military Ombudswoman: What Could Change.

Why the Mobilization System Needs Overhaul

According to Novyny.live: Ukraine’s military ombudswoman, Olha Reshetilova, has outlined three critical changes needed in the country’s mobilization process: recruiting motivated soldiers, overhauling military medical boards, and refining the conscription mechanism itself. She stressed the importance of building an army composed of individuals who fully grasp their role in national defense.

“We want to see motivated people in the military—those who understand why they are joining and that defending the state is their constitutional duty,” Reshetilova stated.

Flaws in Military Medical Commissions

A major focus of the ombudswoman’s criticism is the urgent need to reform military medical commissions. She pointed to significant shortcomings in Ukraine’s Defense Ministry Order No. 402, which currently sets fitness standards and governs medical examination procedures.

“I would very much like to see a reform of the military medical commission system and that ill-fated Order 402, which sets the health benchmark far too low for service members,” she added.

During the winter of 2025–2026, hundreds of hospitalizations were recorded due to complications from respiratory illnesses—a sign that military healthcare changes are long overdue. Additionally, an investigation is underway into the deaths of soldiers from the 425th Separate Assault Battalion ‘Skala,’ who succumbed to pneumonia. These cases underscore the pressing need to improve both the mobilization system and the medical support provided to troops.

Reshetilova expressed hope that upcoming reforms would not only enhance medical screening but also ensure that only highly motivated individuals are selected for service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The issues she raised demand immediate attention, as they directly affect the country’s defense capabilities as well as the health and lives of its soldiers.

Discussions about military reforms highlight the ongoing relevance of mobilization and healthcare issues, especially during wartime. Given the numerous hospitalizations and deaths, the need for change in the military medical system has never been more apparent. Implementing the proposed measures could significantly boost the readiness and effectiveness of Ukraine’s armed forces, while also ensuring proper physical and psychological support for those tasked with defending the nation.