Far from the trenches, at orderly new centers across Ukraine, civilian recruiters armed with laptops and info packs offer patriotic volunteers opportunities to join the war.

Kyiv

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

### Ukraine Launches Recruitment Campaign Amid Conscript Shortage

In Ukraine, a new approach to military recruitment is taking shape far from the frontlines. Civilian recruiters, equipped with laptops and informational materials, are reaching out to patriotic volunteers at various newly established centers across the country. This initiative comes as a response to the challenges of conscripting enough men to combat Russian forces, amid public skepticism.

The drive, led by ministry adviser Oleksii Bezhevets, aims to bolster the Ukrainian army by appealing to citizens' patriotism and offering them a more personalized enlistment experience. Recruits are given the option to select their unit and role based on their skills and preferences, including the duration of their service. One volunteer expressed a desire to serve as a paramedic, highlighting the varied opportunities available.

This recruitment campaign is a blend of traditional and modern methods, utilizing job search websites, outreach centers, billboards, and social media to attract volunteers. The 93rd Mechanized Brigade, among others, has launched a glossy online campaign to draw in recruits. The initiative represents a strategic pivot as Kiev seeks to replenish its forces, which are facing significant disadvantages against a stronger Russian military as the conflict extends into its third year.

The initial surge of volunteers that rallied to the army's cause after the invasion in February 2022 has significantly dwindled. Recognizing the challenges of the conscription drive, including widespread draft evasion and some individuals choosing to flee the country, the Ukrainian government is adapting its strategy. Bezhevets noted that 13 new recruitment centers were opened since February, with plans to expand to 30 by mid-year. Despite the difficulties, there is a move to mobilize fewer individuals than initially anticipated, thanks in part to volunteer contributions.



Ukraine tries charm offensive as conscription flags

Far from the trenches in Ukraine, recruiters armed with information packs offer patriotic volunteers an opportunity to join the war. As the country's efforts to conscript enough men to fight Russia are obstructed by public skepticism, defense officials are embarking on a serious charm offensive to recruit a citizen's army fit to fight the invasion. Oleksii Bezhevets is a ministry adviser who is overseeing the drive. Nations form themselves in fire. Now there's fire, and the nation is forming. This mobilization is one of the elements and one of the instruments that help a nation to form itself. This softer call-up is being conducted on job search sites and outreach centers, as well as billboards and social media, and offers a wartime novelty, an element of choice. Recruits can choose their units and roles that suit their skills, as well as how long they will serve. This recruit says she wants to serve as a paramedic. The drive is also taking place online in a glossy campaign by the 93rd Mechanized Brigade. Kiev is desperate to replenish its depleted forces, which are now vastly outnumbered and outgunned by Russia as the war drags on into its third grinding year. The initial patriotic flood of volunteers who flocked to the army following the invasion in February 2022 has dried up. But the government understands the conscription drive has created its own difficulties, including thousands evading the draft and some fleeing abroad rather than risking the trenches. Bezhevets says 13 of the new recruitment centers have opened since February, and the government plans to expand the number to 30 by the middle of the year. In March, Kiev's top general said the military would need to mobilize fewer people than the initial target of up to 500,000, in part because of volunteers.

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Ukraine Invasion