Enthusiasm for defending the country against Russia not being as strong, the Ukrainian army has revised its recruitment requirements downwards. franceinfo has met young people who still hope to be able to be exempted.
They have been waiting in line for hours outside for the medical visit. “I came with my class”, explains Mykailo in front of a recruitment center of the Ukrainian army, in the suburbs of kyiv. He is only 17 years old, but must have his file validated before a possible mobilization at his majority and the teenager is not very enthusiastic about this eventuality. Mykailo counts on the doctors to be exempted: “There, right now, I have an appointment with the neurologist, I also have a serious sight problem, that’s why I’m not fit”.
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For Ukrainians of fighting age, the pressure is all the greater as the army has become less attentive to the health of its recruits. The criteria have been tightened overall, because it lacks the arms to lead the counter-offensive against Russia. Since the beginning of the war, the country has lost between 100,000 and 150,000 men in combat. Officially, the troops are sufficient to constitute the necessary eight brigades, but the enthusiasm of the Ukrainians who lined up in front of the mobilization centers has died down.
The army more attentive to updating files
Yaroslav and Bogdan, 21-year-old twins, leave the building smiling. As students, they are not obliged to enlist, but have been following military training for a long time in parallel. “It’s better to enlist, with this training, you become an officer and not a simple soldier. Over there, you receive a good preparation, you are more competent, explains Yaroslav. On the front, there will be officers and soldiers, but if it is possible to have a rank, to specialize, it is better to become an officer rather than a soldier.”
“If you’re not afraid, you’re crazy. Those who fight on the front line, they sacrifice their lives for us, everyone is afraid of dying there”
Bogdan, Ukrainian studentat franceinfo
Ukraine needs soldiers, and fast. Fewer and fewer exceptions are possible for leaving the country or not responding to a summons. The army is now more attentive to updating everyone’s military records. Social media is buzzing with rumors of doctors getting stricter on exemptions. Dmytro, 19, musician, is wary: “A lot of people say that the doctors’ commission doesn’t care now. That doesn’t reassure me, really.”
“Let them pick me up last”
Dmytro, meanwhile, hopes he doesn’t run into army recruiters checking military status: “It is not possible to predict when and where they are, everything is so unpredictable. Either we look on Telegram channels that talk about summonses, or we can ask for recommendations from acquaintances”.
There are also those who hide to escape the front, like Dyma, 47. However, he has already practiced weapons: “Those who go to fight must be motivated. All those who are reluctant to go or those who do not want to, it should be forbidden to send them there, because they will rather cause problems”. “And if I really can’t cut it, Dyma said, let them come for me last.”