Author Serhiy Zhadan to enlist in National Guard
"It seems to me that today there are no writers or non-writers, musicians or non-musicians — there are citizens of Ukraine who feel responsible for their country," he said.
Mobilization
Shoigu: Russia to form 2 new armies by the end of 2024
The Russian Armed Forces will create two new combined arms armies, 14 divisions, and 16 brigades, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said during a meeting with other defense chiefs on March 20.
Defense Ministry: Ukraine plans to open 27 new recruitment centers in first half of 2024
Ministry of Defense advisor on recruiting issues Oleksiy Bezhevets announced on March 19 that 27 new-type recruitment centers are planned to be opened in big cities and regional centers in the first half of 2024, the Defense Ministry's press service reported.
Military intelligence: Mobilization in Russia can occur more 'openly' with election over
At the same time, Andrii Yusov, a spokesperson for Ukraine's military intelligence said that mobilization has continued in Russia throughout the campaign and election.
Authorities have uncovered nearly 400 networks aiding draft evaders since start of war
Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, law enforcement agencies have uncovered nearly 400 criminal networks that help individuals evade military service by aiding them in fleeing abroad, a spokesperson for Ukraine's State Border Guard Service announced on March 17.
Police open investigation over attempted suicide in Zakarpattia Oblast enlistment office
The police launched an investigation into the circumstances of a supposed attempted suicide by a man in the Khust military enlistment office in Zakarpattia Oblast, Hromadske reported on March 16, citing a statement from the police.
New-type military recruitment center to open in Zaporizhzhia
The second Ukrainian military recruitment center, reportedly independent from enlistment offices, will open in Zaporizhzhia next week, Ivan Fedorov, the regional governor, announced on March 15.
Defense Ministry: Military not expecting immediate mobilization of 500,000 men
The military is not expecting 500,000 men to be mobilized immediately, and this figure is a general estimation that will be adjusted depending on the situation at the front, the Defense Ministry said in a comment to the Financial Times (FT) on March 13.
MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak: Developments in Ukraine’s parliament on economic reforms, international obligations — Issue 46
Editor’s note: This is issue 46 of Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak’s weekly “Ukrainian Economy in Brief” newsletter, covering events from March 4- 10, 2024. The digest highlights steps taken in the Ukrainian parliament related to business, economics, and international financial programs. The Kyiv Independent is republishing with permission.
Zelensky signs decree on transferring some conscripts to reserve in spring 2024
President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on March 7 ordering to transfer some conscripts of compulsory basic military service to the reserve in the spring of 2024.
MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak: Developments in Ukraine’s parliament on economic reforms, international obligations — Issue 45
Editor’s note: This is issue 45 of Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak’s weekly “Ukrainian Economy in Brief” newsletter, covering events from Feb. 26- March 3, 2024. The digest highlights steps taken in the Ukrainian parliament related to business, economics, and international financial programs. The Kyiv Independent is republishing with
Shmyhal: 8 taxpayers per soldier needed to fund military
The Ukrainian government needs eight taxpayers per soldier to ensure the state budget has enough funding for the military, Denys Shmyhal said during a press conference on March 4.
Conscript dies at military recruitment center following medical examination
The Special Prosecutor's Office in Ternopil is investigating the death of a 49-year-old man who died at a military enlistment center in Ternopil Oblast following a many-day stay at the center. The man was reportedly found to be epileptic, with bruises all over his body
Zelensky signs bill on conditions for demobilization of conscripts
According to President Volodymyr Zelensky's original proposal, conscripts whose term of service expired during martial law and whose military service was extended beyond the established period are released from service to the reserve "within the terms determined by the presidential decree."
Ukraine war latest: Ukraine shoots down another Russian A-50 aircraft over Azov Sea, Air Force says
Key developments on Feb. 23: * Air Force: Ukraine shoots down another Russian A-50 aircraft over Azov Sea * 'Without aid, Ukraine will lose war, with aid it will win,' US Senator Schumer says in Lviv * Zelensky: War with Russia is 'not a stalemate' * EU adopts 13th package of Russia sanctions
Parliament approves bill on conditions for demobilization of conscripts
The bill was passed with 319 votes for and none against, lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak said.
Parliamentary committee backs bill on conditions for conscripts' demobilization
President Volodymyr Zelensky submitted the bill on Feb. 22. According to the proposal, conscripts whose term of service expired during martial law and whose military service was extended beyond the established period are released from service to the reserve "within the terms determined by the presidential decree."
Media: Russian citizens attending Navalny vigils reportedly given draft summonses
Russian Telegram channels said that six people who were detained in St. Petersburg while attending makeshift memorial ceremonies were told that they "must report to the enlistment office within a few days to verify their information and register for military service."
Reuters: Ukrainian businesses fear new mobilization law could paralyze economy
Ukrainian business associations are calling for reforms of the country's new mobilization law, fearing that its draft policies could cripple an already-struggling domestic economy, Reuters reported on Feb. 19.
Zelensky signs 90-day extension of martial law, mobilization
President Volodymyr Zelensky on Feb. 12 signed bills extending martial law and mobilization for additional 90 days starting Feb. 14.
Zelensky's party top lawmaker reveals potential changes to mobilization bill
David Arakhamia, the head of President Volodymyr Zelensky's party in the Ukrainian parliament, called "absolutely unacceptable" the bill's proposal to allow the blocking of bank accounts of citizens who evade military service, adding that he didn't see any support for this proposal among lawmakers.
Parliament approves 90-day extension of martial law, mobilization
Ukraine's parliament previously extended martial law and mobilization from November 2023 until Feb. 14, 2024.
Revised mobilization bill seeks to reinforce conscription in Ukraine in 2024
Ukraine’s leadership is seeking to kickstart a mobilization campaign to replenish the ranks in 2024. For that, it needs an updated legal framework. The government submitted a new draft of the mobilization law to Ukraine’s parliament on Jan. 30, more than two weeks after withdrawing its initial, contentious
Zelensky asks parliament to prolong martial law, mobilization
President Volodymyr Zelensky submitted a proposal to the parliament on Feb. 5 to extend martial law and general mobilization for another 90 days.
Ukraine war latest: Cabinet of Ministers submits updated draft law on mobilization to parliament
Key updates on Jan. 30: * Cabinet of Ministers submits updated draft law on mobilization to parliament * Military intelligence: Russia shows no intent to return bodies of POWs allegedly on crashed Il-76 * Official: Russia launches 5 attacks with chemical weapons on southeastern front lines in past day * Businessman, law enforcement officers
Cabinet of Ministers submits updated draft law on mobilization to parliament
The new version of the bill includes specific provisions on rest periods, mandatory military training for recruits, financial compensation, as well legal protections for registered servicemen traveling inside the country.
Ukraine struggles to ramp up mobilization as Russia's war enters 3rd year
As Russia’s full-scale war approaches its third year and looks ready to drag on for several more, one topic is dominating the discussion in Ukraine: mobilization. From regional capitals and small villages to the front lines of the east, from the media, the workplace, and the family, Ukraine’s
Should Ukraine draft women alongside men?
Almost 43,000 women are now serving in Ukraine's military, according to the country’s Defense Ministry. They volunteered to fight, as unlike with men, there is no obligatory conscription for women in Ukraine.
'It's a cult-like mentality': Historian Ian Garner on the militarization of Russian society
In the second year of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, Moscow has shown its intent to fight and win the war without regard for the lives of its servicemen, or the damage caused to Russia’s economy and social fabric. The Kremlin’s choice to announce “partial” mobilization in
Could mobilization, battlefield defeats cost Putin his regime?
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has raised the stakes in his war against Ukraine, and he may be paying the price. By announcing the mobilization of conscripts on Sept. 21 and the illegal annexation of more Ukrainian territory on Sept. 30, he increased domestic instability in Russia. People who were content
What Russia's 'partial' mobilization means for Ukraine
On Sept. 21, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin announced a "partial mobilization." Russia aims to draft at least 300,000 new soldiers. The Kyiv Independent explains why the mobilization doesn't appear to be "partial" as Putin claims and what it could mean for Ukraine.
Russia throws untrained civilians from occupied Donbas into hot spots of its war in Ukraine
Editor’s Note: The Kyiv Independent isn’t revealing last names of the people from the Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine interviewed for this story for safety reasons. Nearly every man that Oleksii, a 24-year-old resident of Russian-occupied Khrestivka in Donetsk Oblast, knows – friends, school classmates, and former colleagues from a
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