Fedorov: 200,000+ AWOL Cases Top Mobilization Crisis

Addressing the growing number of soldiers absent without leave (AWOL) should be the first priority of Ukraine’s mobilization reform, former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said during a livestream on Thursday, Aug. 7. Fedorov said more than 200,000 service members are currently listed as AWOL, calling it one of the country’s most serious military personnel challenges.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “The first task of mobilization reform should be solving the problem of AWOL,” Fedorov said during a livestream with activist and former adviser Serhii Sternenko. Fedorov proposes overhaul of mobilization system Fedorov said another major issue is the large number of Ukrainians wanted for violating mobilization rules, arguing that too many state resources are spent searching for and drafting them. He said his proposed reform would fundamentally change how the government approaches mobilization by improving communication with citizens, providing better military training and allowing recruits to choose the units in which they serve. “We wanted to create a system where, instead of having 2 million people wanted, people know they are subject to mobilization and have all the conditions to complete military service. Everyone else can continue working for the country’s economy,” Fedorov said. According to Fedorov, such changes would reduce the number of draft evasion cases while making recruitment more transparent and efficient. Fedorov says reform would strengthen both army and economy Fedorov argued that a more predictable mobilization system would benefit both Ukraine’s Armed Forces and its economy. Other Topics of Interest Russian Drones Strike German-Owned Cargo Ship Off Odesa, Hit Again During Evacuation Russian drones hit the German-owned bulk carrier Emil off Odesa, disabling the ship as Moscow expands attacks on foreign merchant shipping. “This will change how we communicate with people, how we train them and how they choose their units. The country will begin working more effectively economically, and there will no longer be such a large number of people wanted by the authorities,” he said. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.