Ombudsman Reports a 333-Fold Surge in Complaints Against Ukraine's Military Recruitment Centers.

Rights Violations in Ukraine's Military Mobilization System

According to TSN.ua: Since Russia's full-scale invasion began, complaints against Ukraine's Territorial Centers for Recruitment and Social Support (TCCs) have multiplied by a factor of 333. Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets highlighted systemic issues, including a lack of body cameras for recruitment officials and violations during military medical commissions (MMCs). The TCCs are responsible for conscription and mobilization, making these allegations a matter of significant public concern.

According to the Ombudsman's Office, complaints have skyrocketed from just 18 in 2022 to 514 in 2023, 3,312 in 2024, and 6,127 in 2025. Furthermore, 34 criminal proceedings were initiated against TCC representatives in 2025. Among the complaints received, over 1,700 pertain specifically to rights violations during MMC examinations.

Geographic Scope and Documented Consequences

The worst situation was recorded in the Ternopil region, where mobilization activities were conducted by personnel not officially affiliated with the TCCs. The Ombudsman's Office has documented over 5,000 violation cases based on materials published in the media and on social networks. Dmytro Lubinets noted that, to date, not all notification groups are equipped with body cameras, which complicates the documentation of conflicts between TCCs and citizens.

'I can say that at the moment, body cameras are definitely not a widespread phenomenon,' emphasized Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets.

He added that his office registers an additional minimum of 5,000 to 5,500 appeals based on media and social network publications. Lubinets also cited cases where Ukrainian citizens with serious, documented health conditions were assigned to assault units and other specialized military branches.

Dmytro Lubinets stressed that war does not negate human rights, arguing that respect for the law is precisely what distinguishes Ukraine from the aggressor. This escalating situation demands urgent state intervention to safeguard citizens' rights and ensure the proper functioning of the recruitment system.

The dramatic increase in complaints points to serious management failures within the TCCs, which risk eroding public trust in state institutions. The absence of body cameras and procedural violations during medical commissions underscore an urgent need for systemic reform to ensure transparency and protect citizens' rights during wartime. These issues require an immediate governmental response to improve accountability and uphold human rights standards.