‘To leave the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, one must either be dead or disabled’, – former military personnel says

Ukraine needs mobilization at all levels, and the authorities must address certain issues that discourage mobilization.

This is the statement made by former military officer of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Yevhen Dikyi.

“We need a complete reevaluation of the functioning of civil authorities in the rear areas. Furthermore, we need to change our attitude towards individuals in the military. Today, it is absolutely outdated. People are seen as disposable resources to be used for the benefit of the state. Such views are unacceptable in modern Ukraine. Firstly, to win, we need to mobilize the required number of people. Otherwise, we might have to accept that Ukraine and Ukrainians won’t be on the world map, just as Russia desires. The authorities must address certain issues that discourage mobilization,” noted the military officer.

He emphasized that the first step should be to establish a maximum time limit for which people will be called to the front. Those who have served for one and a half years since the beginning of the full-scale invasion should be demobilized.

“There is a difference between going through very high risks, heavy work, and a tough life for a year, and buying a one-way ticket. Currently, leaving the ranks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces can only be done either dead or disabled. We need to rectify this. However, I emphasize that this should be done gradually. I am not suggesting bringing all experienced fighters back home immediately. The front line would collapse. But after one and a half years, it’s realistically achievable. Today, among the officers, the prevailing opinion is that it’s better to fully exploit experienced fighters than recruit new conscripts who need to be trained,” Dikyi explained.

He is confident that those who fight for Ukraine deserve a different attitude.

“They should be given the opportunity to mobilize directly into the unit they want to serve in. Today, this isn’t possible. You may want to join a specific unit, but they need to meet their quota and not necessarily mobilize you where you are needed. This can even be corrected at the legislative level. There should be an appropriate directive from the General Staff,” the military officer concluded.