New Defense Minister in Kiev: No one is forcibly mobilizing Ukrainian men

The new Defense Minister Denys Shmygal believes that to date 90% of those mobilized make a conscious choice to join the army. Shmygal said this in an interview with BBC Ukraine, Focus reports.

"To date, mobilization is proceeding according to plan. This is true. It is also very important to understand that 90% of mobilization is proceeding absolutely normally - people, after receiving summonses, come to serve. They are not caught, they are not dragged. After receiving the document, they come to the Central Military District, register and go to training centers. And I am grateful to those of our defenders who consciously react to receiving a mobilization document“, he notes.

According to him, there is a small, scandalous percentage in the media that works against Ukraine.

"Against Ukraine, against Ukrainian society, against our independence and national security, this mobilization is these 5-10% of the scandal. But in fact, the mobilization of 90% is a conscious decision of Ukrainians. Look in the army - there are different people there. There are both businessmen and people from the villages. The army is a reflection of Ukrainian society“, he explains.

He admits that "mobilization is a very painful topic for society. But there is no other way to oppose Russia“.

Shmighal also emphasizes: "Mobilization is a complex process, which is why it is prescribed in the laws, which is why it is a constitutional obligation of every citizen. Nobody likes war. And Ukrainians did not start this war, we want to live in a peaceful country. But we must protect this right to live in a peaceful country.“

At the same time, as of today, all financial support from Ukraine is directed to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

"Today, Ukraine collects about $50 billion in taxes. And this is our contribution as a state to the war. The military economy is over $120 billion, which Russia spends“, says Shmyhal.

The Minister of Defense also commented on the work of the Central Military Commission and the criticism directed at them, in particular regarding forced mobilization.

According to him, each such case is investigated by the military leadership.

"But without mobilization, without the work of the Central Military Commission, we would have lost this war long ago. We must give this its due.“

''Today, the military leadership has appointed most of the people who have passed through the battlefield to work in the CCC. And this must be given its due. People work there who know that their comrades are there, that they need to be replaced, to rest, someone needs to be treated, but the front line must hold. There must be an awareness that the work of the CCC is not to the detriment of anyone''... “This is so that our country can survive and the nation can survive“, he emphasizes.

Shmighal adds that close monitoring of the bodies responsible for mobilization is planned.

"The topic of the CCC has become so toxic, not least thanks to the enemy. He is working a lot on this. Now you see that it is attacking the KKK, looking for the most socially vulnerable points. But the toxicity of this topic does not mean that we have an alternative today. Of course, we need to improve certain points. Of course, we will work with the KKK. The next stage is body cameras, like those of the police. All this is being done now, we are preparing all this, the president has already given a separate instruction. But we do not have another tool. There is none anywhere. And historically speaking, there has been no other alternative“, added Shmyhal.