Street recruitment and draft dodging: How Ukraine handles military needs in 2024
Military service became a hot-button issue in Ukraine as the war enters its third year. New strict recruitment methods and increased taxes make people nervous‚ while the army needs more soldiers
In todays Ukraine military service talks make people nervous — especially men aged 25-60 dont want to discuss this topic (because their friends and family members are fighting or died in combat)
The government uses un-expected ways to find new soldiers: Marcoʼs brother-in-law got stopped by traffic police with recruitment officers near Kyiv. They checked his docs found issues with medical papers and within 24hrs sent him to boot-camp
The army needs more people: Ukraine has about 900k soldiers while Russia has 1‚5m troops plus around 3k North-Korean fighters. Some Ukrainian units fight non-stop since 02/2022 with no proper breaks which isnt good for morale
The Defense Ministry tries different ways to get volunteers:
- Money rewards up-to 3‚600$ for signing up
- Choice of military unit to serve with family
- Special positions based on skills
- Medical squad commander roles for women
Theres a lot of fear—thats understandable. You have to take into account that theres not a person in this country whose life hasnt been turned upside down by the war
People feel un-happy about new rules: the military tax went up from 1‚5% to 5%; recruitment officers check papers on streets; and medical commissions help some avoid service for bribes. President Zelensky said hell close these medical boards by years end
In Kyiv life looks normal — gyms are full young people go to cafes but Kostyna thinks this will change: “Our military needs reinforcements in the field and funds for its operations.“ She says people will accept this because Russian victory would be much worse
