All citizens of Ukraine should undergo military training, mobilization offices should be replaced by app for conscripts. Serhiy Zgurets' column

Natural heat suspends hostilities' intensity

Heavy fighting continues along the entire front line. Yesterday saw 112 military clashes. The intensity has decreased compared to last week due to the natural heat slowing down the hostilities. The hottest spots now are the Siversk, Toretsk, and Pokrovsk directions. In Pokrovsk, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 24 Russian assaults, maintaining a high pace. There are sections of the front where Russia is pressing Ukrainian defenses at the tactical level. In some areas, such as Krynky and Urozhaine, Ukrainian forces retreated because there was nothing left to hold onto in these completely destroyed sections, particularly regarding fortifications and the ability to hold these areas. Ukraine's effective counterattacks, aimed at eliminating Russian troops, are occurring in specific areas of the front, notably north of Kharkiv.

Ukraine's parliament is considering a draft law to exempt military personnel from criminal liability for abandoning their units

In war, success depends on a combination of sufficient weapons, the actions of commanders, and the training and resilience of the infantry. For many brigades, war has become a long and grueling experience, with soldiers fighting despite their health and mental state sometimes being unable to endure the prolonged strain.

Yesterday, the parliament passed a draft law in the first reading that could release military personnel from criminal liability for desertion or voluntarily leaving their units. This issue is particularly sensitive, given some significant statistics. Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office reported that in 2022, about 10,000 criminal cases were opened, 24,000 new investigations were launched in 2023, and nearly 30,000 new cases were initiated in the first half of 2024 for military personnel leaving combat positions or units. In total, 63,000 such cases have been opened since 2022. Reasons for these violations range from a desire to evade duties to low morale, psychological stress, and long-term deployments without rotations.

There are many reasons for this, which sometimes also apply to the military, who can't be blamed for lacking moral strength. These individuals were the first on the front line and have been under extreme stress for a long time.

Given this situation, a new draft law was discussed yesterday in parliament. It proposes a more lenient approach to criminal responsibility for abandoning units. Voluntary abandonment is 10 days, with punishments ranging from 5 to 12 years imprisonment, and acquittals under such charges are rare. The draft law states that if a soldier leaves their unit for the first time, they won't face criminal liability. However, this is contingent on submitting an application. Military personnel must apply to the prosecutor's office or court, indicating their willingness to return to the unit. A corresponding statement must be written by a commander who is willing to take the soldier back, raising the question: which commander would be willing to do this? If it's a commander from the same unit where the soldier abandoned their post, it's unlikely, so it would likely be a higher-level commander or one from a different unit willing to reintegrate the soldier.

These details will be refined through discussions and amendments to the law. There's a possibility the draft law could be adopted as early as August. It's a complex bill. On one hand, the management system must be based on responsibility and trust in the commander, and on the other hand, there must be a law that ensures order by enforcing certain commands. Balancing these aspects is challenging and essential.

July 17 was the deadline for Ukrainian citizens obligated to military service to update their information

Lieutenant Colonel Pavlo Kyshkar with the Ukrainian Armed Forces, a senior officer in the Ground Forces command and head of the Ministry of Defense’s accelerator project office, believes that the electronic register of conscripts in an app is a significant achievement for the state during wartime. He noted that this register should have been established 20 years ago. Previous attempts to create such a register were thwarted, often due to Russia's aggressive policies. Kyshkar emphasized that the registry should be designed to allow for electronic summonses in the future and that it is crucial for conscripts' data to be kept current. For example, information on permanent health conditions, like disabilities or missing limbs, should be updated, as these do not require further verification. Kyshkar praised the state's extensive efforts in developing this system and stressed the importance of continuing to accumulate this data.

Society now demands fairness from the state regarding mobilization. Kyshkar pointed out that the state must be transparent with its citizens, clarifying that they do not need all 24 million men aged 25 to 60, as they cannot provide for or train them all. The Defense Forces of Ukraine currently require an unlimited number of human resources in specific professional roles. This means specialists for particular positions and tasks within the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Kyshkar urged that people and businesses need to understand how to cooperate with the state effectively.

The reservation system for conscripts does not work in Ukraine

Pavlo Kyshkar highlighted that the reservation system, which grants exemption from mobilization, is ineffective. Even though thousands of officials from the Ministry of Defense, the General Staff, and the Ministry of Economy, who need to issue documents to confirm the reservation of employees, are involved. Kyshkar suggests making the register more accessible so businesses can register and reserve their employees for 9 or 12 months – meaning preventing their mobilization for this period.

To reserve employees, an order from the Ministry of Economy is required. However, Kyshkar argues that this approach is flawed. The Ministry of Economy is unaware of the urgent personnel needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and can only focus on maintaining the normal operation of the country's economy. Kyshkar believes the bureaucratic aspects of the reservation should be reduced. The General Staff should determine the needs, especially concerning personnel and specialties required by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Officials are unnecessary for this process, as the needs of the Ministry of Economy should also be based on specific requirements and specialties.

Mobilization offices should be replaced by an electronic system for conscripts

Kyshkar emphasized that many men are in the system of the Ministry of Defense and hold non-combat positions, which can be filled by women and those not subject to conscription.

Pavlo Kyshkar believes the entire population should undergo military training, with every person preparing to defend the country. He suggests that both women and men take appropriate courses, advocating for comprehensive training and preparation for war. According to Kyshkar, this approach will make people more aware of the ongoing war and ready to defend the state.

Kyshkar also commented on involving private military companies (PMCs) in hostilities. He noted that PMCs are a minor element that stimulates domestic production. He mentioned that, with the help of some lawyers, a draft law on private military companies in air defense has been prepared. This draft is ready and is needed, especially for veterans returning from the front who will seek jobs. He hopes it will be voted on, as it will enhance air safety at private expense.

Kyshkar is confident that mobilization centers should be entirely transferred to an electronic system, accessible via an app, with the office premises repurposed. He explained that the current mobilization center system is Soviet, which means it’s outdated and ineffective. The transition to a general electronic system will take time due to the complexity of processing a large number of requests. Over 4 million citizens have registered and updated their data, including more than 1 million who have served or are serving. This also includes women obligated to military service. Therefore, objectively, more than 3 million citizens have updated their data through the app. He emphasized that the system needs significant changes and that citizens should be encouraged to update their data and join the Ukrainian Armed Forces, using both positive and negative incentives.