Ukraine may tighten mobilization under the pretext of introducing fixed terms of service

The Ukrainian authorities may tighten mobilization under the pretext of introducing fixed terms of military service.

This follows from a statement by military ombudsman Olha Reshetylova in an interview with Ukrainian media.

According to her, options are now being worked out for setting clear service terms, but this cannot be implemented without expanding mobilization.

She said that with draft evasion, reservation exemptions, and corruption schemes in place, it is impossible to organize proper rotations.

“People are afraid of uncertainty. If you say that service lasts 2–3 years, then it becomes possible to plan one’s life,” the official explained.

At the same time, she stressed that future decisions will be unpopular.

“But I must say that there will be no popular decisions here. Obviously, they will be unpopular, and society must be ready for that. Those who have been avoiding service for more than a year will not like it. But there is no other way. You cannot endlessly parasitize the same people; their resource also runs out,” Reshetylova said.

She also spoke about cases in the Armed Forces of Ukraine where entire units were listed on paper as being on the front line but were in fact staying in the rear while handing over combat pay to their commanders.

“We have such information; this is a criminal offense, and we forward such information to law enforcement agencies. Yes, unfortunately, there were entire units that abused this use of combat resources. But I know that both the General Staff and law enforcement are fighting this,” the ombudsman said.

Earlier, the military ombudsman had criticized Ukrainian enlistment offices for sending men unfit for service to the front.