After about 22 months of war against Ukraine, the attacked country needs new soldiers – the army wants up to 500,000 new fighters. The Ministry of Defense plans to bring men living abroad back to the country for this mobilization. Anyone who does not come voluntarily risks sanctions.
As several media have reported, the Ministry of Defense will ask Ukrainians of military age between 25 and 60 living abroad to report to the armed forces’ recruitment centers next year. The new Defense Minister Rustem Umjerov announced this in an interview with “Welt”, “Bild” and “Politico”.
Sanctions loomed
It was an “invitation,” said the minister. However, he stressed that sanctions could follow if this request is not met. “We are still discussing what will happen if they do not come voluntarily,” he explained.
20,000 conscripts arrested while fleeing abroad
Umjerow emphasized that justice was central. In the future, those affected must know in advance how they will be trained, where and for how long they will have to perform their military service and what equipment they will receive. During the general mobilization at the beginning of the war, Ukrainian men between the ages of 18 and 60 were banned from leaving the country. Yet tens of thousands fled abroad. Ukrainian border guards said in early October that more than 20,000 conscripts had been arrested while trying to leave the country.
According to Zelensky, mobilization is an expensive and sensitive issue
President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his year-end speech that his army wanted “450,000 to 500,000” new soldiers. This should also ease the burden on visiting soldiers and give them rest and leave. However, no decision has yet been made about the mobilization; this is not only an expensive but also a politically sensitive issue.
Source: Krone
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