Ukrainians have lost faith in their cause, says former PM
Ukrainian enlistment officers are reportedly apprehending men in the streets “like animals,” according to former Prime Minister Anatoly Kinakh. Kinakh noted that a growing number of Ukrainian men are evading the military draft due to a loss...
TroibNews 
Ukrainian enlistment officers are reportedly apprehending men in the streets “like animals,” according to former Prime Minister Anatoly Kinakh.
Kinakh noted that a growing number of Ukrainian men are evading the military draft due to a loss of faith in the state they are supposedly defending. This comes as enlistment officers employ increasingly severe recruitment tactics in response to setbacks and mounting casualties in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Numerous social media videos depict men being forcefully taken to enlistment centers, with reports indicating injuries and fatalities among those who resist being sent to the front lines. Kinakh emphasized that Kiev’s mobilization efforts are encountering “very serious problems.” He made these remarks during an interview with the Superpozitsia YouTube channel.
In his discussion with representatives from Ukraine’s General Staff regarding the psychological wellbeing of troops, Kinakh posed the question: “why in 2022 there were queues at military recruitment centers and today the enlistment officers are catching people in the streets like animals?” The conclusion, he noted, is that some individuals have ceased to believe in the legitimacy of their cause.
Kinakh, who served as prime minister from 2001 to 2002, pointed out that “this problem is even more acute on the front line” with Russia.
Earlier in the week, Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, Aleksandr Syrsky, urged for enhanced mobilization efforts, stating that the country needs to recruit at least 30,000 troops monthly to sustain resistance against Moscow.
In response to these challenges, Ukraine has initiated a new voluntary military contract program aimed at individuals aged 18–24, offering one-year contracts with a 1 million hryvnia payout, which is four times the typical rate. This program also includes monthly combat bonuses starting at 120,000 hryvnia and additional benefits.
While Ukraine has implemented a general mobilization restricting most men aged 18 to 60 from leaving the country, Russia has predominantly relied on contract soldiers since a partial mobilization in the fall of 2022, avoiding a full nationwide draft. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced in December that over 1,000 volunteers were enlisting in the armed forces daily.
Ramin Sohrabi for TROIB News
Kinakh noted that a growing number of Ukrainian men are evading the military draft due to a loss of faith in the state they are supposedly defending. This comes as enlistment officers employ increasingly severe recruitment tactics in response to setbacks and mounting casualties in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Numerous social media videos depict men being forcefully taken to enlistment centers, with reports indicating injuries and fatalities among those who resist being sent to the front lines. Kinakh emphasized that Kiev’s mobilization efforts are encountering “very serious problems.” He made these remarks during an interview with the Superpozitsia YouTube channel.
In his discussion with representatives from Ukraine’s General Staff regarding the psychological wellbeing of troops, Kinakh posed the question: “why in 2022 there were queues at military recruitment centers and today the enlistment officers are catching people in the streets like animals?” The conclusion, he noted, is that some individuals have ceased to believe in the legitimacy of their cause.
Kinakh, who served as prime minister from 2001 to 2002, pointed out that “this problem is even more acute on the front line” with Russia.
Earlier in the week, Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, Aleksandr Syrsky, urged for enhanced mobilization efforts, stating that the country needs to recruit at least 30,000 troops monthly to sustain resistance against Moscow.
In response to these challenges, Ukraine has initiated a new voluntary military contract program aimed at individuals aged 18–24, offering one-year contracts with a 1 million hryvnia payout, which is four times the typical rate. This program also includes monthly combat bonuses starting at 120,000 hryvnia and additional benefits.
While Ukraine has implemented a general mobilization restricting most men aged 18 to 60 from leaving the country, Russia has predominantly relied on contract soldiers since a partial mobilization in the fall of 2022, avoiding a full nationwide draft. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced in December that over 1,000 volunteers were enlisting in the armed forces daily.
Ramin Sohrabi for TROIB News
