Kazarin: Ukraine's Military Medical System Remains a 'Factory of Fitness'

Pavlo Kazarin, a prominent Ukrainian journalist, has sharply criticized the country's mobilization and military medical examination (VLK) system. In his article, he recalls that in February 2022, at the start of the full-scale war, VLK practically did not exist – the army enlisted everyone it could, including people with one arm, blindness, cancer, or disabilities. At the time, it was justified because the enemy was close and the country needed time.

However, 4.5 years later, the situation has not fundamentally changed. Kazarin references a journalistic investigation into the "Skelya" regiment, where many conscripts should never have been admitted to the Armed Forces. He notes that the system has not used the time gained – the army still receives alcoholics, drug addicts, chronically ill, and physically unfit individuals. Often, they are stamped "fully fit," turning all their pre-war illnesses into "acquired during service."

This approach creates several problems. The state spends significant funds on maintaining and treating such soldiers, and in case of death, pays millions of hryvnias to families. Worse, some end up in units where they are subjected to brutal treatment, becoming "exercise machines" for others' cruelty.

Kazarin emphasizes that the root cause is a lack of political will. Army command is reluctant to argue, so it gives certain units carte blanche to "process" problematic contingents. Meanwhile, 1.3 million people are exempted – more than the entire Defense Forces combined. The author warns that Russia has already faced consequences of its own unwillingness to face reality, and Ukraine should not repeat those mistakes. A Russian mobilization may begin in October, but Ukraine still lacks both political will and an effective system to attract truly capable people.