Gen. Oleksandr Syrsky, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), gave a wide-ranging interview in which he addressed many of the AFU’s lingering issues.
With respect to Kyiv’s controversial mobilization strategy, the general said that the state of mobilization in Ukraine stands at 6 or 7 on a scale of 0 to 10.
In the interview with ICTV channel published on March 30, Syrsky revealed that while two years ago the front’s main need was ammunition, the priority now is trained servicemen who are ready to perform their duties.
According to Syrsky, mobilization remains the primary source of replenishing AFU ranks. At the same time, he stressed that the process must be carried out properly and without violations.
“Our task is to ensure that this process takes place as comfortably as possible for those being mobilized. That means no violations of the law or of the procedures used during mobilization,” AFU chief said.
Assessing the current state of mobilization, Syrsky added:
“I’m not unbiased. But at the level of, probably, 6-7. Something like that.”
He emphasized that the army needs both higher-quality training and more motivated personnel who do not leave their units.
Separately, Syrsky addressed the issue of fairness in mobilization. In his view, fairness means that all citizens eligible for conscription fulfill their duty without selective exceptions.
“Justice is when all citizens fulfill their military duty, without dividing people into those who are mobilized and those who are not, despite having grounds to be,” he said.
Syrsky also appealed to those attempting to avoid service, stressing that amid Russia’s offensive, Ukrainians must defend their country, their families, and their future.
“There is a moral incentive and an awareness of duty. These are not just words – we are all at war,” he said.
Syrsky also commented on cases of unauthorized abandonment of military units (AWOL and desertion).
According to him, significant efforts have been made to encourage servicemen to return. Many, he said, come back daily to reserve battalions, where they are reassigned to units.
“I am not a supporter of tougher measures. Our legislation is already strict enough for those who violate it,” he said when asked whether penalties should be increased.
Instead, Syrsky said the focus should be on improving conditions to reduce the number of such cases.
“The main reason for going AWOL is unwillingness to serve and fear for one’s life. The transition into military service – from recruitment centers to training – should be as smooth and painless as possible,” he said.
He added that staff at territorial recruitment centers (TRCs) must treat mobilized individuals humanely.
“Proper conditions must be created. We are constantly working on this – the president, the minister of defense, and the AFU command are all focused on improving conditions,” Syrsky said.
This includes accommodation, training safety, and nutrition. According to him, training centers are adapting to meet the real challenges soldiers face on the battlefield.
In early March, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing to mobilize 400,000 additional troops despite heavy monthly losses.
In an interview with Corriere della Sera, Zelensky said Russia is losing up to 35,000 soldiers per month – “a gigantic number” – adding that new recruits are merely offsetting those losses.
“They are immobilized, close to crisis,” he said, arguing that serious negotiations will begin only when Russia’s army starts to shrink.
Zelensky added that Ukraine is pursuing both diplomacy and battlefield strength, increasing drone production and other capabilities to compensate for manpower shortages.
“We seek dialogue, we want peace. In parallel, we try to be strong,” he said.
“We are not losing, and Russia is not satisfied.”