Roman Kostenko: The Ministry of Defense is not proposing a global reform of mobilization but is trying to improve public perception of it

Roman Kostenko, the Secretary of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security, Defense, and Intelligence, recently expressed his views on the ongoing initiatives by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine concerning mobilization during a broadcast on Radio NV. He emphasized that, in his opinion, the ministry is not proposing a comprehensive reform but is merely attempting to enhance the public's attitude towards mobilization processes.

"I have a document on my desk — it is what is currently being developed and what is being proposed. I see that some statements have been made that the issue will be resolved soon, and efforts will be made to address these matters. But we will see. These are very complex issues to resolve so easily. It is easy to shift this workload onto someone else, but will that actually solve the problem? I have my doubts about that," Kostenko stressed.

He also reminded listeners that President Volodymyr Zelensky tasked Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov with improving the operations of territorial recruitment centers (TRCs), noting that this does not constitute a reform, as "reform involves deeper words and different approaches."

Kostenko expressed his belief that the current proposals are merely adjustments aimed at improving the perception of mobilization processes. "To say that there are some global reforms there — no. There are some issues: let’s transfer the functions of TRCs and the State Border Guard to the police," he added.

The member of parliament also pointed out that he neither supports nor opposes these changes but mentioned that some of them are not agreed upon by the General Staff, which is trying to address these issues in collaboration with the Ministry of Defense.

Kostenko emphasized that his primary responsibility as committee secretary is to ensure that attempts to alleviate societal tension do not lead to the loss of what has already been achieved. "I support the efforts to do something, to improve something, but the main thing is that the outcomes are issues that truly enhance the situation. They should not relieve responsibility, nor should they shift burdens from one head to another, but genuinely improve the mobilization situation," he concluded.

On April 8, Deputy Head of the President's Office Pavlo Palisa stated that the mobilization situation in Ukraine has significantly improved over the past ten months, indicating a "positive dynamic." He also added that there are currently no plans to lower the age threshold for mobilization below 25 years or to change the exit rules for men aged 18-23.

On April 7, David Arakhamia, the head of the Servant of the People faction, announced that a comprehensive mobilization reform in Ukraine is already in the final stages of preparation. Specifically, it is planned to address the issue of individuals who are wanted by the TRCs and the State Border Guard. "There are questions, for example, about two million people who are wanted [by the TRCs]. They are all removed from the wanted list, but there is a certain procedure for what to do next," Arakhamia explained.

He also indicated that the concept includes both populist elements and "more stringent" measures. The member of parliament reported that the reform will also help reduce violent actions against military personnel from the TRCs and the State Border Guard.

In January, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov stated that approximately two million conscripted Ukrainians are currently wanted, while another roughly 200,000 military personnel are in the reserve. On February 23, the minister announced that the Ministry of Defense is working on a comprehensive mobilization reform in Ukraine. On March 25, Fedorov stated that he had discussed problematic issues and changes for military personnel with stormtroopers and infantry from 13 defense units carrying out complex tasks at the front.