European Solidarity Proposes Mandatory Cameras for Draft Officials
Ukraine's European Solidarity party has registered a new draft law in the Verkhovna Rada covering mobilization procedures and document inspections carried out by staff of territorial recruitment centers (TCCs). Iryna Herashchenko announced the move on Facebook, adding that there is still no presidential submission for a new defense minister, leaving the future leadership of the Ministry of Defense in question.
The bill would make body cameras mandatory for TCC personnel and require continuous video recording whenever military registration documents are checked. It also calls for installing recording systems in vehicles used to transport those who are liable for military service. In addition, the document spells out clear bans for TCC workers, including using physical force and covering their faces.
Importantly, footage from the checks would need to be stored for an extended period so that official investigations can be carried out if recording rules are violated.
Mobilization Issues Await an Unappointed Minister
According to Herashchenko, the next defense minister—who has yet to be named—will have to tackle mobilization, TCC reform, service terms, soldier motivation, and higher service pay. She stressed:
"It is unclear who will become defense minister because Zelenskyy still has not submitted a nomination. But the new Ministry of Defense will have to deal with mobilization and TCC reform, service terms, motivation for military personnel, and increased financial support. The Supreme Commander-in-Chief has repeatedly said he has no time for this..."
The issue has also been highlighted by recent violent incidents. In Odesa, a man opened fire on TCC workers, wounding four soldiers. In Kyiv, a man brought to the Podilskyi district TCC while undergoing a military medical commission fatally wounded a female doctor. These events underscore the need to improve safety for both TCC staff and the public.
Herashchenko argued that transparent rules, proper oversight, and mutual responsibility between the state and citizens are essential for fair mobilization that does not humiliate people. She pointed to the earlier police reform, where mandatory body cameras helped reduce misconduct and increased public trust. "Now we are proposing the same reform for TCCs and insisting that our draft law be considered as a priority," she said.
With rising tensions and violence linked to conscription, the draft law registered by European Solidarity brings key questions about mobilization, TCC operations, and accountability to the fore. The need for a better-controlled draft system is increasingly urgent, and state institutions face pressure to respond quickly to public concerns while ensuring safety throughout the process.
As the discussion around military enlistment centers intensifies, recent reports have surfaced regarding systematic issues within these facilities. The Ombudsman's concerns about abuses highlight the urgent need for reforms, underscoring the importance of the proposed legislation for body cameras to ensure accountability and transparency in the recruitment process.