The issue of mobilization has revealed a painful divide in Ukraine, – ABC News

Two and a half years of devastating battles have severely depleted Ukrainian forces, which have had to fight against superior Russian troops.

ABC News reports on this situation.

Ukraine is currently experiencing a shortage of soldiers and is struggling to find volunteers willing to join the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). Due to personnel issues, combat units on the front line have been unable to rotate for extended periods. This exhaustion of Ukrainian defenders has led to recent Russian advances in the Donetsk region.

One reason men were reluctant to join the army was that they couldn’t choose a specialty where they could best help their country. To address this, journalists note, Ukraine has launched a volunteer recruitment system. This allows men to choose their role in the army to maximize their contribution.

Additionally, the publication notes that Ukrainian authorities delayed a new mobilization project due to its unpopularity and to preserve the youth needed for the country’s economic future. However, after the project was implemented, the draft began to yield results.

“Ten thousand Ukrainians have been conscripted, are now undergoing basic training, and are expected to start filling the ranks this summer,” ABC News writes.

The journalists also add that the issue of mobilization has exposed a painful divide in Ukraine. On one side, civilians see videos of territorial recruitment center workers apprehending men on the streets. On the other side, soldiers see young men drinking on the streets in Kyiv and other cities. This exacerbates societal division, as such videos fuel the narrative that mobilization targets the poorer population.