Ukraine's Mobilization System in Crisis
Anonymous servicemen from Territorial Recruitment Centers (TRCs) across various Ukrainian regions have detailed a cascade of issues plaguing the mobilization system: relentless pressure to meet quotas, pervasive corruption, a complete absence of personal protection and firearms, mass draft evasion, and repeated mobilization failures. Since the full-scale war began, there have been 619 documented attacks on TRC personnel by civilians, three of which resulted in the deaths of military staff.
A typical small district TRC employs 50 to 60 people, while a city-based center has over 100 staff members. During 2023-2024, these centers managed to issue dozens of summons daily. However, by 2025-2026, there are days when a 16-hour shift yields only a single summons delivered. TRC servicemen are currently fulfilling only 40-60% of their monthly mobilization quotas. Out of 30 draft-age men stopped on the streets, roughly 20 are either legally exempt or have official deferments, and only one out of the remaining ten is fit for service.
Corruption and the Hurdles of Mobilization
By early 2026, Ukraine had over 1.3 million citizens with official exemptions or deferments, yet a significant portion of these are believed to be fraudulent. TRC personnel often go out to issue summons without any weapons, and many have not even completed basic military training due to overcrowded training centers. Under new regulations, a serviceman who 'loses' a mobilized recruit faces a fine of 20,000 hryvnias, whereas the same soldier can earn $2,000 by participating in a corrupt escort scheme.
A TRC's structure is divided into three groups: the commander with deputies, the staff, and a guard company. Within the staff, the operator of the 'Oberih' registry plays a critical role. The most dangerous job is serving on the summons-issuing teams. Soldiers working at these centers stress that the state has provided them with no tools for mobilization and no means of self-defense.
“The state is the biggest a**hole in this matter. It gave you no mobilization tool, no right to defend yourself,” says serviceman Mykola.
Servicemen also highlight internal corruption. According to Valentyn, “You drive through a village, and it’s like a dead Texas town, only missing tumbleweeds. Because everyone who sees a police car runs behind fences.” It is worth noting that under Cabinet Resolution No. 560, the responsibility for issuing summons was supposed to shift to local authorities, but this has not resolved the system’s deep-rooted problems.
These firsthand accounts from servicemen point to severe flaws in the mobilization system that demand urgent reforms. Failed mobilizations and corrupt schemes could undermine Ukraine's ability to maintain its defense capabilities, especially as the conflict continues. The gravity of these issues requires the state not only to acknowledge the existing challenges but also to take active steps to overhaul the mobilization system and ensure proper protection for its military personnel.
The ongoing challenges faced by Territorial Recruitment Centers highlight the urgent need for clarity regarding the self-defense rights of military recruitment officers. As TRC personnel confront increasing threats and pressure, understanding their legal rights to use weapons in self-defense becomes crucial for their safety and effectiveness in carrying out mobilization duties.