Health Issues Among Mobilized Troops and Medical Preparedness
In an interview with RBC-Ukraine, Military Ombudsman Olha Reshetilova disclosed that approximately 2,000 mobilized individuals in a single Ukrainian military unit have been found likely unfit for service due to health conditions. This revelation has raised serious concerns about medical screening and the overall health of service members. Attention must be paid to issues within training centers, where mass outbreaks of pneumonia are being observed.
Representatives from the Ministry of Defense and the command of the Ground Forces have been brought in to investigate the situation. Cases have been uncovered where entire units were documented as being on the front lines but were actually stationed in the rear, indicating potential resource mismanagement. Olha Reshetilova stated:
“We have such information; this is a criminal offense, and we are forwarding this information to law enforcement agencies.” - Olha Reshetilova
She also noted that pneumonia outbreaks among mobilized personnel are occurring with increasing frequency, with some training centers reporting hundreds of hospitalizations.
Service Conditions and Medical Support
Olha Reshetilova emphasized that information became known this year about the deaths of several soldiers from the 425th Assault Regiment 'Skala' due to pneumonia. “In December, we visited a hospital, and I accidentally heard about a colossal number from one of the training centers regarding hospitalizations with complications—pneumonia,” she noted. A massive training center has only three doctors on site, while all others stipulated by the staffing plan are assigned to the military medical commission, severely hampering the provision of medical care. “These doctors physically cannot even visit all the training battalions,” she added. These systemic issues highlight the strain on Ukraine's military infrastructure after years of full-scale war.
To improve service conditions for soldiers, the Office of the Military Ombudsman has established a working group studying the possibility of setting defined terms of service. This issue is pressing because, according to Reshetilova, “the right to certainty for service members is extremely important.” She noted that soldiers who return after unauthorized absence from their unit can no longer independently choose their assignment, as reassignment has become standard practice.
Furthermore, training centers for newly assigned servicemen conduct a three-day adaptation course, which was scaled up to all training units last September. Olha Reshetilova highlighted three main conditions for increasing military salaries:
- awareness from European partners;
- optimization of internal processes;
- society's readiness to sacrifice social benefits.
Maintaining communication between soldiers and their families remains a critical issue. “Record voice messages via radio link, suggest the family write a letter and send it along with logistical deliveries,” recommends Olha Reshetilova. She stressed that ensuring contact between service members and their families is a priority task requiring urgent resolution.
The discovered problems with the health of mobilized personnel and the insufficient medical support in training centers are causing public concern and casting doubt on the effectiveness of existing military reforms. The unfitness for service of a large number of soldiers indicates a need to review medical standards and mobilization procedures. Ensuring proper medical aid and improving service conditions for troops is critically important for maintaining the army's combat capability and preserving the health of its personnel.
In addition to the alarming health issues among mobilized troops, the Military Ombudsman has also highlighted other significant challenges facing the army, including the troubling reports of missing soldiers and ongoing pay disputes. These interconnected issues reveal a broader picture of the difficulties within the military structure, which are crucial for understanding the current state of Ukraine's defense forces. For more insights on these pressing matters, you can read about the key challenges faced by the army.