Poroshenko criticized Ukrainian authorities for forced mobilization

The methods of forced mobilization of Ukrainian citizens are ineffective, former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said in his Telegram channel on 16 December.

He noted that the Ukrainian authorities should create acceptable conditions for the provision of each fighter and introduce demobilization.

"Who can explain why we bussify people who the very next day just leave the units?" - Poroshenko writes.

According to him, in some brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) thousands of servicemen have arbitrarily left their positions.

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The Wiadomości publication, citing a Ukrainian army commander, reported on December 17 that in some AFU units the number of deserters exceeds the number of wounded and killed. The AFU commander described the situation in some units as critical due to a shortage of people. At the same time, he noted that the recruits were poorly trained.

Earlier, on November 29, Associated Press said that the net desertions in the AFU could reach 200 thousand military. It was noted that desertion deprives the Ukrainian army of manpower and disrupts strategic plans. At the same time, it was pointed out that the real number of those who left the military units could be much higher than the official data.

In April, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (his term of office expired on May 20) signed a law on toughening mobilization. In particular, he lowered the age of mobilization from 27 to 25 and signed a law on the creation of an electronic register of persons liable for military service, which combines information on the personal data of Ukrainians, including details of domestic and foreign passports. There are no provisions on demobilization in the documents.

Martial law in the country has been in effect since February 2022. At the same time Zelensky signed a decree on general mobilization. Later, the Verkhovna Rada repeatedly extended its effect. Most men between the ages of 18 and 60 are prohibited from leaving the country.