Yes, there were cases when officials walked the streets and looked for men who did not appear before the military commission – admitted Volodymyr Zelensky, adding that such situations “absolutely should not happen.” The president’s words did not escape the attention of the Kremlin, which took advantage of the position of head of state. Pro-government media talk about “raids” and “use of force” in public places.
Volodymyr Zelensky gave an interview to the German television ARD. In an interview with a public broadcaster, he said that – just like every Ukrainian – he is grateful to all the soldiers who have been fighting on the front line for over 700 days.
However, the president noted that “society’s gratitude alone is not enough” . – Fair rotation is needed, long leaves should be provided – he said and recalled the plans to introduce a new law “on fair mobilization”.
Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelensky admits: Officials handed out appointments on the streets
– Yes, there were cases when representatives of the Territorial Recruitment Center (TCK – the office responsible for military conscription – ed.) walked the streets and looked for men who did not appear before the military commission – Zelensky admitted.
Corruption scandals in Ukraine. Significant words of President Zelensky
The Ukrainian leader emphasized that such situations “absolutely should not take place” , which is why he asked the Ministry of Defense to prepare an amendment to the regulations on the principles of mobilization.
– I would like us to be completely honest. This is completely inappropriate behavior, they should not do it – he emphasized again, assessing the TCK’s current methods.
Russia: Propaganda uses Zelensky’s words
The president’s words did not escape the attention of the Kremlin propaganda, which did not refrain from commenting on the Ukrainian leader’s confession. The state news agency TASS said in its pages that Zelensky “confessed to the use of force by military commissioners on the streets and in other public places.”
“The actions of officials often became the cause of scandals , and the almost complete corruption in the TCK forced Zelensky to replace all regional military commissars and carry out mass inspections,” Russian media claim.
Russian propaganda about the world conflict. “The first bells are heard”
TASS emphasizes that videos regularly appear on social media in which state officials “try to use force to issue summonses on the streets, in public transport or at the gym.” “Many men – according to reports – did not leave their homes for literally months,” writes TASS, without providing the sources of their information.
The agency also added that the TCK organizes “raids” throughout the country, “often encountering resistance from men of military age and criticism from outsiders . “
Mobilization in Ukraine. Valery Zaluzhny criticizes Volodymyr Zelensky
General mobilization was announced in Ukraine in February 2022. During a press conference on December 19 , Volodymyr Zelensky said that a new mobilization law should be introduced , which provides for the appointment of another 450-500 thousand. people . He also noted that “this is a very delicate matter.”
The Kremlin reacts. Trump’s famous words have been answered
Late in the evening on December 25, a preliminary draft of the amendment appeared on the website of the Ukrainian parliament. The reform involves lowering the lower conscription age from 27 to 25 , as well as tightening penalties and sanctions for failure to respond to summons sent electronically.
Shortly after the publication of the document, the Chief of the General Staff of Ukraine , General Valeriy Zaluzhny, also spoke . The military official confirmed the numbers mentioned by the president a few days earlier, but – as he noted – “he himself would never reveal them publicly.”
As reported by Reuters, Załużny rarely speaks in public, and subtle criticism of the head of state may suggest political friction between the president and the head of the armed forces. On Monday, there were even speculations in the Ukrainian media that Valery Zaluzhny was to be dismissed by Volodymyr Zelensky.
