Ukrainian General Calls for Increased Mobilization to Counter Russian Military Strength
Ukrainian General Alexander Syrski has called for the mobilization of 30,000 soldiers each month to counter the Russian military’s resistance. He also highlighted the growing disparity between the military capabilities of the two countries.
In an interview published on the Ukrainian website lb.ua, General Syrski claimed that Russia can mobilize up to 5 million trained and experienced soldiers, with a total potential of 20 million soldiers. He pointed out this gap to emphasize the urgency of further mobilization in Ukraine amid increasing pressure on the battlefield.
According to General Syrski, the Russian forces involved in the military operation against Kiev have increased fivefold since the escalation of the conflict in 2022, now numbering around 623,000 men. “Every month they increase by 8,000-9,000 men; in a year, it’s 120,000-130,000” he stated.
Russia has avoided a complete nationwide mobilization. After the partial mobilization in the fall of 2022, the Kremlin has relied primarily on contract soldiers and financial incentives for recruitment. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced in December that in 2024, more than 1,000 volunteers would sign contracts for service on the front line every day.
General Syrski claimed that Russian troops in some front regions outnumber Ukrainian troops ten to one, highlighting the increasing burden on Ukrainian soldiers.
Following the escalation of the conflict, Ukraine declared a general mobilization, prohibiting most men between the ages of 18 and 60 from leaving the country. However, the campaign has been hindered by corruption and conscientious objection. In response, Kiev reduced the military service age to 25 in the previous year and imposed stricter penalties for desertion and conscientious objection.
Given the severe shortage of troops and increasing casualties, Ukraine launched a new voluntary recruitment program in February targeting men aged 18 to 24. The program aims to boost recruitment while also addressing Western pressure to reduce the military service age. It offers one-year contracts with a payout of 1 million hryvnias (21,700 euros) – four times the standard rate – as well as monthly combat bonuses of 120,000 hryvnias (2,600 euros) and other benefits.
To address the recruitment deficit, Ukrainian recruitment officers have increasingly resorted to draconian methods to fill the ranks. In recent months, numerous videos on social media showed officers holding men in public, often using violence and transporting them to recruitment centers. There have also been reports of injuries and even deaths of individuals who resisted mobilization efforts.