Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, commented on the reports about the mobilization of 500,000 people, clarifying the military command's position and actions.
According to Zaluzhnyi, while speaking on a national telethon, the military command has not made any specific request for a figure such as 500,000, as previously mentioned by Davyd Arakhamia, the leader of the Servant of the People faction.
Zaluzhnyi explained that the military command is responsible for protecting the state and regularly formulates requests for ammunition, weapons, and human resources.
These requests are made on an ongoing basis without any separate event or format presented to the Cabinet of Ministers or the Verkhovna Rada.
While acknowledging the formation of a figure for the next year, Zaluzhnyi stated that this number takes into account the current set, the formation of new military units, and the forecast of potential losses in 2024. He did not disclose specific figures, citing military secrecy.
Zaluzhnyi also mentioned that the General Staff does not possess the right of legislative initiative and therefore has not submitted any documents to the government.
However, he confirmed that the Armed Forces of Ukraine worked with the Ministry of Defense, which may have submitted a draft law to improve mobilization to the Cabinet of Ministers.
During a special briefing, Zaluzhnyi emphasized that the number of mobilization needs is being formed, considering the tasks that will be performed next year. He clarified that this does not imply that such a figure is set for immediate implementation.
Following this, the Cabinet of Ministers submitted a draft law to the Verkhovna Rada, titled "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine on Improving Certain Issues of Mobilization, Military Registration and Military Service."
