The co-founder of the Kraken special unit of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Kostiantyn Nemichev, explained why stricter punishments for unauthorized absence from the unit are not effective measures. According to him, over 200,000 military personnel are currently in this situation in the army. For many of them, it serves as a transitional phase for transferring to another unit. Nemichev emphasized that the reasons why a person may find themselves absent without leave are varied, and it is important to find an approach for each soldier to ensure their comfort.
“Imposing penalties for unauthorized absence from the unit will not resolve the issue, as those who do not wish to participate in combat under incompetent commanders will not participate regardless. Therefore, it is crucial to combat not the consequences but the causes by providing adequate conditions for military personnel,” he stressed.
On Saturday, September 6, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine supported a bill for the establishment of a Military Ombudsman, which was proposed by the President of Ukraine. The office of the Military Ombudsman will serve as an auxiliary body to the President, aimed at protecting the rights of military personnel and their families.
- Protection of the rights of military personnel of all branches of Ukraine's defense;
- Police officers participating in combat actions;
- Foreigners and stateless persons in the Armed Forces;
- Other categories of persons defined by law.
The Ministry of Defense emphasized the importance of addressing the issues of disobedience among military personnel through appropriate transfers and appeals to justice, stressing that punishment is not the only means of influence.
While supporting the importance of maintaining military discipline and combat readiness, the co-founder of the Kraken unit expressed confidence in the need to tackle the issue through encouragement and fostering the development of military personnel, thereby stimulating their active participation in defending the country.