Much less than 500,000: Ukraine's army commander assesses mobilization needs
Photo: Oleksandr Syrskyi (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The Armed Forces of Ukraine have reviewed the need for mobilization following audits of certain units. The figure will be significantly less than 500,000, states Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi.
"Following the revision of our internal resources and clarification of the combat composition of the Armed Forces, this figure was significantly reduced. We expect that we will have enough people capable of defending their motherland. I am talking not only about the mobilized but also about volunteer fighters," said Syrskyi, answering the question about the previously mentioned figure of 500,000.
According to him, the number of certain units that do not take part in combat operations is currently being reviewed based on an audit of their activities. "This enabled us to send thousands of service members to combat units," he said.
Mobilization of 500,000
The figure of 500,000 was first mentioned by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. During a press conference on December 19, 2023, he announced that the General Staff had requested the mobilization of an additional 450-500 thousand Ukrainians.
Following this, the Cabinet of Ministers submitted the first draft law on strengthening mobilization to the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament). Currently, the Parliament is considering the second version of the Cabinet's draft law on mobilization.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal stated in March that there was currently no need to mobilize 500,000 Ukrainians into the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
