intelligence agencies

Director of Ukrainian military intelligence Kirill Budanov. AFP photo

However, harsh recruitment must continue and no one can “escape mobilization”, Mr. Budanov warned.

The Ukrainian intelligence boss made this comment in a discussion titled ‘2024: challenges and prospects’, excerpts from which were circulated by local media on December 17. Mr. Budanov supports the idea of ​​continuing mandatory conscription into the country’s armed forces, arguing that it is the only way to maintain military numbers.

“There is no escaping mobilization. There are currently 1.1 million people in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. No recruitment operation can accommodate such large numbers,” he said.

“We actually don’t have many people ready to do anything. I’m not even talking about fighting,” he added, admitting that most Ukrainians prefer to cheer on the country’s army far from money. gland. “The majority of our people, although everyone shouts: ‘I am Ukrainian’, ‘First of all Ukraine’, still do not recognize themselves as citizens of Ukraine,” Mr. Budanov said.

Budanov said the country had long since run out of volunteers willing to fight Russian forces, with “all the willing” having enlisted in the first six months of the conflict. The intelligence agency director emphasized that those appointed to the country’s military ranks must have appropriate motives.

“Who’s called up now?” Mr. Budanov asked the question and answered himself: “Unfortunately, there is no satisfactory answer here. If you do not find motivation for these people, then no matter how many people are forced by the law or enlist, their effectiveness will be almost zero, that’s basically what’s been happening lately”

Ukraine launched general mobilization shortly after the start of the conflict with Russia in February 2022, banning most men between 18 and 60 years old from leaving the country. The military enlistment campaign encountered many difficulties, specifically widespread corruption and draft evasion.

At the same time, Ukrainian recruiters have become increasingly violent and lawless in their efforts to capture more prospective soldiers, with multiple videos circulating online showing them chasing potential recruits on the streets streets, raiding public places and even beating their victims.

Recently, the Ukrainian government admitted difficulties in strengthening the military ranks. Mikhail Podoliak, a top aide to President Vladimir Zelensky, admitted earlier this month that further mobilization in Ukraine would certainly be complicated, suggesting the government needed to step up its “propaganda element” to remedy the situation and attract new recruits.