There is no alternative to mobilization: Budanov cited the reason
As of today, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have over a million soldiers. Without mobilization, no recruitment will meet these needs, this was stated by the Head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, according to the discussion panel 2024: Challenges and Perspectives.
Budanov explained that all those who wanted or were ready to fight have either already encountered the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation in various units of the Defense Forces, or they joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine within the first six months.
Due to objective reasons, according to the head of intelligence, there are now few of those people remaining in the ranks of the Defense Forces.
"This is a fact, and it needs to be understood and recognized. With such volumes, no recruitment will cover our needs without mobilization. This is a similar problem to ammunition because the quantities are enormous. The total strength of the Armed Forces of Ukraine now amounts to (the name is somewhat conditional in quantity because we are approaching state secrets) one million one hundred thousand people. No recruitment can cover such volumes. Only mobilization," noted the head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence.
However, he added that in the context of mobilization, another question arises - motivation.
"However many people we mobilize, whether forcibly or non-coercively, using some tricks or following the norms of legislation, the combat effectiveness coefficient will be almost zero. What is happening lately needs to be openly recognized as well. Therefore, it is not even conceivable to think that we can do without mobilization. We cannot," emphasized Budanov.
He explained that currently, in Ukraine, there are not so many people willing to do anything, let alone go to war.
"And this is the current situation. There will be losses, and this number needs to be maintained constantly," he added.
Recruitment to the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Earlier, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine launched a recruiting program for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It allows any willing Ukrainian to choose the unit and vacancy where they want to serve. Overall, the process is similar to employment.
The Ministry of Defense also explained how the salary for the recruited military personnel to the Armed Forces of Ukraine would be formed. The Ministry of Defense signed contracts with companies such as Robota.ua, Work.ua, and Lobby X for recruitment.
For more information on what the approved concept of the Ministry of Defense entails, you can read it at the provided link.