Serhiy Rakhmanin: TCC Reform Will Not Solve Mobilization Issues

In a recent interview on Radio NV, Serhiy Rakhmanin, a member of the Ukrainian Parliament from the 'Voice' faction and a member of the National Security, Defense, and Intelligence Committee, voiced his apprehensions regarding the reform of Territorial Recruitment Centers (TCC). He emphasized that this reform will not resolve the problems associated with mobilization and the system for providing support to military personnel (SMP). 'The TCC reform does not alleviate the mobilization issue,' Rakhmanin stressed during the broadcast.

The MP elaborated that violations of citizens' rights and freedoms by TCC arise from the necessity to supply combat units, which are suffering losses, with a sufficient number of military personnel. He noted that most citizens tend to ignore legislative requirements related to mobilization. 'They (the majority of citizens) either ignore summonses, fail to update their information, or, in extreme cases, flee abroad,' Rakhmanin remarked.

Rakhmanin also considered the possibility of completely abolishing the contacts of TCC representatives, believing that even if all summons were sent electronically, it would not lead to an increase in the number of people reporting to TCC. 'Do you think that if TCC does not patrol the streets, and all communication between military management bodies, which are TCC, and citizens is conducted via electronic summons, for example, the number of people coming to TCC based on these electronic summons will increase? No,' he emphasized.

He concluded that even if the TCC reform takes place, it will not change the mobilization process or the number of military personnel evading conscription. 'Because the absolute majority of citizens who are called up for mobilization and directed to training centers either escape from the training centers or on the way from the training center to the military unit. Where is TCC in this? How will the TCC reform reduce the number of these people? If citizens' rights are violated less, will that improve the situation? It will improve the situation in terms of respecting rights and freedoms, in terms of democracy. In terms of ensuring the Armed Forces, it will not have any impact,' the MP noted.

Rakhmanin also highlighted that the mobilization issue is complex and should be addressed by a team of specialists, including legal experts, demographers, sociologists, psychologists, media professionals, PR specialists, and journalists. This approach will allow for more effective solutions to improve the situation.

It is worth recalling that on April 3, the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, stated that the current mobilization process is chaotic, but it will not be possible to radically resolve these issues before the end of the war. Previously, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine denied information regarding the start of mobilization reform on April 1, stating that a plan for changes is being prepared and will be presented later.

On March 30, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, rated the mobilization in Ukraine as six to seven out of ten, emphasizing that the goal is to make this process comfortable for citizens. In February, The Times reported that Ukraine needs approximately 250,000 more military personnel to stabilize the front and achieve victory.

On February 23, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced that work is ongoing on a comprehensive reform of mobilization in Ukraine. 'We are currently working on a comprehensive mobilization reform. We will propose a systematic solution to address long-standing problems while maintaining the country's defense capability,' he noted. These statements reflect the government's serious intentions regarding improving the military situation in Ukraine.