'You сan't just discharge' - Deputy Head сomments on demobilization in Ukraine
Photo: Ukraine explores demobilization of soldiers (Getty Images)
The demobilization of soldiers who have served for an extended period requires the creation of appropriate conditions for replacement. Research is currently being conducted, and mechanisms are being developed for the safe implementation of this process, as stated by Deputy Head of the President's Office Pavlo Palisa, according to an interview with BIHUS Info.
"Regarding the mobilized who have been serving for a long time, I completely understand them. People are exhausted both physically and morally; I understand that it's difficult. And I'm not in favor of having soldiers serve from today until the end. But for the issue of demobilization to be placed on the agenda as something that can be implemented, conditions must be created," explained Palisa.
The Deputy Head of the President's Office shared that Ukraine is currently conducting research and trying to develop a working mechanism for the further demobilization of soldiers.
"But without the understanding and support of society, this is not realistic. We cannot release a large number of mobilized soldiers while leaving a section of the front uncovered. We understand that this doesn't quite make sense. Well, am I right, or maybe I'm wrong? I understand that people are exhausted," he noted.
At the same time, Palisa emphasized that simply releasing soldiers now, without creating conditions for their replacement, is wrong.
"Just releasing them now, without creating conditions for their replacement, is wrong. With all due respect to those who have been serving since the start of the full-scale war," he concluded.
Demobilization in Ukraine
Currently, Ukraine does not have an approved demobilization process for soldiers. The issue of releasing military personnel who have been serving since the early days of the full-scale war remains unresolved.
In April, the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, announced that approximately 350,000 soldiers who have been serving since 2022 could be discharged. However, he stated that full demobilization is impossible due to the current situation on the frontlines.
As an alternative to demobilization, the Ministry of Defense has developed a rotation mechanism: after 90 days of combat duty, a soldier is entitled to a few months of rest.
This approach is intended to maintain the army’s combat readiness and support the morale of the soldiers.
Additionally, Deputy Minister of Defense Kateryna Chernohenko noted that the draft law is still under development. It is being worked on not only by the Ministry of Defense but also by the General Staff.
