Ukrainian Official Comments on Mobilization Evolution
Roman Istomin, head of communications for the Poltava Regional Territorial Recruitment Center (TRC), has stated that comparing the 2022 mobilization to the current 2025-2026 effort is incorrect, as they are fundamentally different processes. He explained that in 2022, mobilization initially relied on volunteers before transitioning to a system of summonses. In contrast, the ongoing 2025-2026 mobilization is not voluntary, with individuals now entering service through a formal recruitment process. Istomin finds it strange to compare the two periods, emphasizing that the underlying principles have changed significantly.
Complaints and Operational Changes
In 2025, the Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, received over 6,000 complaints regarding rights violations during mobilization. Istomin addressed criticism about the confiscation of mobile phones at recruitment centers, noting the practice began after citizens started posting videos from assembly points on social media, creating security risks. This decision was further influenced by drone strikes on TRC facilities in cities like Poltava and Kremenchuk.
- In 2025, TRC staff began routinely covering their faces during operations.
- Notification groups have carried out detentions, document checks, and freedom restrictions without police accompaniment.
Istomin stressed that while he frequently hears criticism, he rarely sees constructive proposals on how to improve the military staffing processes, which he says constitute 90% of the necessary measures. Ukraine's mobilization system continues to adapt under the immense pressure of a prolonged, full-scale war.
Roman Istomin's statements highlight the complexity of Ukraine's mobilization processes, which are evolving in response to wartime conditions and societal pressures.
The comparison of mobilization campaigns across different years illustrates an evolution in the approach to army staffing, reflecting the state's adaptation to new challenges. Simultaneously, the rising number of complaints about rights violations points to societal tensions and underscores the need for dialogue between the state and its citizens.