The commander identified the main threat to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, emphasizing that mobilization is not a solution

In Ukraine, there is an active discussion about mobilization, which is becoming more important than just the number of conscripts. The commander of the Assault Forces, Valentyn Manko, expressed concern that it is not so much the lack of mobilized personnel as the number of those leaving their units or refusing to follow orders.

According to him, even at the current pace of mobilization, the units could be fully staffed if it were not for the high level of desertion. Manko notes that if the army were replenished every month not by approximately 30 thousand, but by at least 70 thousand recruits, the situation would be much better.

But the realities are much more complicated. The commander emphasized that it is not easy to create an optimal mechanism for the even distribution of mobilized personnel across different units, as the country is conducting military operations in many directions and faces other priorities. This forces the command to make difficult decisions, moving forces to where the situation is critical, for example, in the Pokrovsk area, despite the need for reinforcements in other places.

The colonel admits that, despite the possibility of improving the system, it is impossible to achieve stability without reducing the number of deserters and voluntary separations from the service. He notes that the outflow of service members undermines the defense capability more than the shortage of recruits. Another military expert shares this point of view: the secretary of the National Security Committee, Roman Kostenko, noted that many recruits desert before they even reach the front. One of the fighters even noted a “record” in October, when one soldier left the Armed Forces of Ukraine every two minutes.

Manko once again emphasizes that conscription is not a punishment, but a necessity for a country fighting for survival. However, he stresses that the system must change so that units can receive a uniform load, sufficient reserves, and ensure stable protection along the entire front line.

We recall that, in this regard, questions arise regarding conscripts’ rights and the mechanisms for appealing decisions of territorial recruitment centers.