Olha Reshetylova Calls for Clear Military Service Terms — Mobilization Needs Strengthening

Military Ombudsman Olha Reshetylova, in a recent interview with RBC-Ukraine, voiced her alarm regarding the absence of clear service terms for Ukrainian servicemen. She pointed out that this uncertainty could lead to severe psychological issues, including burnout and demoralization. According to her, the Office of the Military Ombudsman has already established a working group dedicated to exploring the possibilities of setting clear service terms.

Reshetylova emphasized the importance of providing military personnel with a sense of certainty, as the lack of it can adversely affect their mental health. "For any person, if there is no certainty in life, it can lead to burnout, demoralization, and even depression. Our servicemen, some since 2014 and others since 2022 and later, live in a constant state of uncertainty," she stated.

The Ombudsman believes that in order to establish clear service terms, it is essential to consider the issue of "fair mobilization." She noted that fair mobilization is linked to a number of other problems, such as equitable reserving and existing corruption schemes in this area. "This is something we need to work on," Reshetylova added.

Olha Reshetylova also expressed her view that many conscripts are evading service due to fear of uncertainty. "If they were told that service would last two or three years, at least people could plan their lives accordingly. You serve for two or three years, then you have another rotation," she explained.

At the same time, the Ombudsman clarified that there will be no easy solutions to this issue, and society must be prepared for this. "Those who have been fleeing from service for several years will not like it. But this is necessary. We cannot endlessly rely on the same people; their resources are also running out... Clear service terms cannot be expected without strengthening mobilization," she concluded.

In February of this year, The Times reported that Ukraine needs approximately 250,000 more military personnel to stabilize the front and achieve victory. This information underscores the importance of mobilization efforts currently being discussed at the state level.

On February 23, Ukraine's Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced that work is underway on a comprehensive reform of mobilization aimed at improving the situation. On March 30, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi rated the level of mobilization in Ukraine at six to seven out of ten, emphasizing that the goal is to make this process comfortable for citizens.

On April 3, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov commented on potential changes in the mobilization sphere and the operation of territorial recruitment centers. He noted that the current mobilization process is chaotic, but it will not be possible to fundamentally resolve these issues before the war ends. These comments indicate that the issue of mobilization remains extremely relevant and requires urgent resolution.