Ukraine's Fedorov: mobilisation cannot be fixed without a new social contract and real military reforms

Acting Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has said that Ukraine's mobilisation problems cannot be resolved without a new social contract, systemic reforms in the armed forces and proper treatment of service members.

Source: Fedorov at a press briefing on 16 July

Quote: "It is impossible to resolve the issue of mobilisation without a new social contract and without real changes in the military."

Details: Fedorov said he had deliberately refrained from commenting on criticism of mobilisation for the past six months. He stressed that military enlistment offices are subordinate to the Ground Forces, which in turn report to the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the minister stressed that the issue of mobilisation cannot be separated from the problems that exist within the military itself.

Fedorov noted that young Ukrainians are not discussing the new two-year or 14-month contracts but rather high-profile cases involving military commanders and the treatment of service members.

He referred to the former commander of the 155th Separate Mechanised Brigade, who, he said, "did the greatest harm imaginable during the full-scale war", as well as individual incidents in assault units.

However, he urged people not to generalise about all assault units and instead focus on specific cases.

As examples of effective organisation, Fedorov cited the Third Army Corps and the Khartiia Brigade. He said these units have a clear chain of command, accountable leadership, proper logistical support and strong commanders, which is why they do not have the same recruitment problems.

The minister added that the Khartiia Brigade has thousands of volunteers wishing to join the unit, including foreign nationals.

Fedorov also criticised an approach in which military discipline is maintained solely through fear of punishment.

He argued that many service members could achieve far more if they were given greater freedom and supported by their leaders.

Fedorov also described as "false" claims that the front line is being held only because of an authoritarian command style.

Quote: "Ukrainians know how to take responsibility. Ukrainians do not need someone standing over them with a stick, forcing them onto the front line for 10 or 15 days under drone threat. Ukrainians make their own decisions, step forward, take risks, understand what they are doing, sit in the trenches knowing they are doing it for their families, not because they are afraid of going absent without leave or anything else. They do it because they take responsibility.

And these guys are holding together the geopolitical situation in the world. They deserve respect. They need proper contracts, defined terms of service, the possibility of transfers, good leaders who listen to them, proper social support and many other things that we must introduce by building systemic solutions."

Previously:

• Earlier, Fedorov summed up his tenure, outlined what he had not managed to accomplish and said he will continue his mission to "defeat the enemy through asymmetry, the speed of innovation and the power of organisation".
• Protests in support of Fedorov are taking place on 16 July near the President's Office in Kyiv and in several other cities across Ukraine.

Background:

• On 14 July, the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) approved Yuliia Svyrydenko's resignation as prime minister, a decision which entails the resignation of the entire government.
• According to Ukrainska Pravda sources, the authorities planned to form the new government on 15 July. The parliament is expected to vote on the new Cabinet on 16 July.
• Ukrainska Pravda sources in the Servant of the People faction said Volodymyr Zelenskyy would not be putting Fedorov forward for the post of defence minister as part of the government reshuffle. Ihor Klymenko, currently acting Minister of Internal Affairs, could become the new defence minister.
• Sources in the faction also say Fedorov remains on the president's team, "but what he will do next will become clearer next week".

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