War Without Rotation: Why Ukraine Still Lacks a Demobilization Law
The demobilization law, which was supposed to be submitted and considered by the Verkhovna Rada by December 18, 2024, has still not been reviewed as of January 20, 2026. This is happening against the backdrop of a severe personnel shortage in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which is estimated to be around 300,000 people.
President Volodymyr Zelensky, commenting on the issue of returning soldiers, stated:
“Guys will return home when we defeat Putin.”However, the opposition points out that it is the government that blocks the consideration of alternative bills – on clear service terms, rotation, and significant payments upon signing contracts.
Crises in the Mobilization System
The situation is complicated by a crisis in the mobilization system. The shadow budget of the Territorial Recruitment Centers (TRC) is estimated to exceed 2 billion euros, while high-profile cases, such as the fine and sending a TRC employee in Ternopil to the front for exceeding authority, indicate systemic problems.
Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi noted that:
“Those who return from combat missions are immediately sent to the front-line assault battalions.”This, according to critics, only deepens the crisis of motivation and trust.