Ukraine's bold mobilization plan. Aiming to draft 550,000 to face Russia
5:50 AM EDT, April 11, 2024
It would make a solid counter to Vladimir Putin's actions. According to the Meduza website, Ukraine might mobilize at least 550,000 people for military service in the spring. This number is significant, yet the Armed Forces of Ukraine could potentially draw from up to five million recruits. And this potential has been untapped for months.
The draft law concerning mobilization is currently under consideration by the Supreme Council of Ukraine and is awaiting its second reading. This new initiative has sparked considerable criticism and tension among the authorities and society. It's a familiar story: people are afraid.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy faces a difficult decision. With the challenging situation at the front, he must make unpopular choices to bolster the army with recruits ready to fight. Additionally, shocking methods of Russia's attacks on Ukrainian soldiers have been reported.
President Zelenskyy himself has mentioned the possibility of mobilizing up to 550,000 men. This ambitious plan could significantly affect the economy as the country risks losing much of its working-age population.
Even with the potential for half a million recruits to be drafted into the Ukrainian army—a figure that could be increased multiple times—the minimum draft age was recently reduced from 27 to 25 years. New draft exemptions and deferrals rules were introduced, electronic summoning was implemented, and conscript service transitioned to basic combat arms training.
How many Ukrainians can theoretically be drafted into the military?
Yet, if the plan to mobilize 550,000 individuals comes to fruition, this would represent only a fraction of the country's mobilization potential. This effort should be more than enough to confront Russia effectively.
The current situation at the front line is dire for Ukrainian forces. Soldiers are tirelessly building fortifications as the enemy advances from the east. Meduza reports that, according to high-ranking Russian security officials, capturing Kharkiv would be a feasible military objective—a potentially significant loss for Ukraine.
Moreover, at the end of March, the Russian opposition website Viorstka disclosed that the Russian Ministry of Defense is planning a substantial draft to bolster its invasion forces. The aim is to encircle and capture Kharkiv, and up to 330,000 individuals may be mobilized.
The Kremlin's plan might fail again if Ukraine counters this Russian strategy with its mobilization and strengthens its army. And that is precisely the goal.
