In new PR stunt, Ukrainian soldiers can now 'choose their own destiny'
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The Guardian reports that Kiev is offering more relaxed conditions and opportunities to attract soldiers amid depleted manpower.
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A Ukrainian soldier digs a trench in the Donetsk region, on March 18, 2024. (AP)
Facing a manpower crisis, Ukraine resorted to the obvious solution: job postings, conscription billboards, and advertising personnel operating drones while relaxing on a beach, The Guardian revealed in a report.
Kiev even opened the door for potential soldiers to choose the frontline combat units they see fit to their specific skills.
Over the past year, President Volodymyr Zelensky intensified efforts to recruit forces, including lowering the conscription age from 27 to 25, due to many fighters from the early-war period being either killed, disabled, or exhausted.
Read more: Ukrainian army struggling with manpower shortage: WSJ
His methods included coordinating with several EU countries hosting Ukrainian refugees, such as Germany, to apply legal and aid-related pressure on men of fighting age, compelling them to return to Ukraine.
Footage in Ukraine's streets showed military and security personnel forcefully dragging men and youth to send them to fighting areas. This led many Ukrainians either to go into hiding or try to flee the country through the borders, but many reports indicated that individuals attempting to flee were shot by border forces.
Read more: Ukrainian officers kidnap 14 y/o amid forced conscription drive
Additionally, measures included stricter penalties for draft evasion, prompting an increase in attempts to flee the country illegally.
Rosie expectations
Efforts to recruit new soldiers have been hindered by widespread reports about insufficient training, ineffective leadership, and the harsh realities of trench warfare, the report said.
Read more: Ukraine lack armored vehicles for newly drafted recruits: Forbes
“Summer, UAV,” says one poster spread across Kiev, The Guardian reported, adding that it depicts a soldier operating a drone "from a beach chair, his boots resting on the sand."
“We guarantee 60 days of preparation,” posted Khartia Brigade on the streets. "Be yourself," a third ad says.
“Now you have the opportunity to choose a position for serving in the army. Forget your fears and doubts – it’s time to choose your path!” said the Defense Ministry in a Facebook post as part of the attempts to attract fighters.
Read more: Ukraine to exempt clowns from mobilization for 'critical importance'
Azov, the unit labeled as a neo-Nazi group by Western countries before the war in Ukraine, has used its social media posts to polish its image, showing its members engaging in first-person combat footage.
But a press officer, who is part of a frontline artillery unit, quoted by The Guardian warned that individuals "often have rosier expectations when they join these units based on their PR. Ultimately, combat is dangerous regardless of where you serve."
The Defense Ministry collaborated with job-search websites like Lobby X to simplify enlistment. Lobby X offers a user-friendly platform where jobseekers can explore various military branches and roles, from marines to artillery gunners or press officers.
Read more: Ukraine sounds alarm: Full mobilization warning issued to citizens
Lobby X's CEO, Vladyslav Greziev, emphasized the importance of people as Ukraine's main strength during wartime. His company has processed over 100,000 applications for 5,000 vacancies across 640 units. Noncombat roles, such as drone operators and press officers, were in high demand, whereas applicants showed lower interest in infantry positions.
“During war, you don’t have full control of your life, so of course you want to do everything to increase your chance of survival,” Greziev said.
“We want to offer the possibility for a soldier to choose their own destiny.”
