Mobilization of Women in Ukraine: In the National Security and Defense Council and the Ministry of Defense, they explained who makes the decisions

The discussion about the possible mobilization of women in Ukraine has reignited, but for now women are joining the military voluntarily. The need for additional personnel in the Armed Forces is determined by the General Staff based on military calculations.

This was stated by Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation under the National Security and Defense Council, with his position also voiced by former Deputy Minister of Defense Hanna Maliar.

Kovalenko stated that he personally does not see a need for mobilization of women. He also criticized regular public discussions of this topic by people who do not have data on the army's actual personnel needs.

“I personally believe that mobilization of women is unnecessary. As are the constant comments on this issue from various experts, former ministers, and people who do not serve themselves and only want to be in loud headlines,” said the head of the Center for Countering Disinformation.

At the same time, Kovalenko positively assessed that Ukrainian women already serve in the Forces of Defense willingly. Currently, there is no compulsory mobilization of women in Ukraine.

Hanna Maliar emphasized that the question of the army's need for personnel cannot be decided through public discussions or posts on social networks. According to her, during 2021–2026 years, the decisive factor has been the calculations of the General Staff.

The former deputy minister of defense reminded that since the beginning of the full-scale war, the General Staff has conducted relevant assessments. Based on their results, the military leadership repeatedly stated that at that time there was no need for mobilization of women.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian women could freely join the Armed Forces throughout all years of the full-scale invasion. Servicewomen could also perform combat tasks of their own free will on the front line.

“Women have not been sent to the front on an obligatory basis to this day,” Maliar stressed.

According to her, the final answer to the discussion about possible mobilization of women must be given by the General Staff. The position should be based on calculations of the real need of the Armed Forces for personnel, and not on the opinions of individual politicians, officials, or experts.

Thus, statements about the necessity of mobilizing women do not by themselves mean that such a decision is being prepared. According to Maliar, the decisive factor remains the assessment of the army's personnel needs by the General Staff.