Ukraine is developing mechanisms to mobilize all military-eligible citizens in the event of an invasion
The General Staff is working on a process to arm all Ukrainians eligible for military service in case of a large-scale invasion, as reported by the press service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The General Staff stated that all soldiers who leave the ranks of the military are transferred to the operational reserve of the first order and the training of reservists started at the beginning of the year.
"The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is working out a mechanism to supply weapons to the population of Ukraine that is eligible for military service in the event of large-scale armed aggression of an enemy. Each military commissariat is creating defense units. These units are staffed with reservists and those eligible for military service, primarily on a voluntary basis. Positions of officers and sergeants will be offered to reservists and representatives of patriotic organizations," the statement says. These units will be prepared during trainings over the next two years; units will be formed on a territorial basis.
The General Staff says that every citizen who has not been called up during the mobilization, but wants to participate in protecting the homeland, may apply to the military commissariat to be trained as part of these units. Citizens of Ukraine ages 20 to 60 years, regardless of gender, can become a member of such a unit.
Also today, the President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, has approved a new uniform and insignia for the Ukrainian military.