Ukraine: Volunteers run out, millions of draft evaders under review

The head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office, Kyrylo Budanov, has said that voluntary enlistment has been exhausted and that “millions of draft evaders” are now on the authorities’ radar, as mobilisation efforts continue across the country.

Budanov stated that compulsory mobilisation will continue, but that the authorities aim to make its implementation less harsh, Caliber.Az reports via Ukrainian media.

“Volunteers in Ukraine have already run out, and millions of draft evaders are now on the agenda,” he was quoted as saying.

He added that the only area open to reform is the treatment of individuals during forced conscription.

“The only thing that can realistically be reformed is instances of inhumane treatment of people during forced mobilisation, but specifically those instances of inhumane treatment, not the fact of mobilisation itself,” Budanov said.

The Ministry of Defence is currently preparing reforms to the mobilisation system, although no detailed proposals have yet been made public.