Authorities and law enforcement must carry out mobilization duties, not military enlistment offices – Kobylinska
According to Ukrinform, Ombudsperson for the Protection of the Rights of Servicemembers and Their Families Olha Kobylinska wrote this on Facebook.
"It pains me and I am indescribably ashamed that the state, having shifted the most thankless and critically important duty onto the servicemembers of TCCs, cannot protect them. This should not have been the case, and it must not continue. I have repeatedly stressed that servicemembers should not be engaged in direct mobilization. The task of the military is to develop the mobilization plan, register personnel, and allocate manpower. Notifications, delivery, detention, bringing people to responsibility, public outreach, and shaping the relevant information policy must be carried out by the executive authorities, local self-government bodies, and law enforcement agencies," Kobylinska emphasized.
According to her, the withdrawal of state institutions from the issue of mobilization has already led to tragedy. She expressed her condolences to the family and loved ones of the murdered TCC employee Yurii Bondarenko and called for mobilization reform.
"Better late than never to begin changes. And these changes must include both mobilization reform by the state, and the efforts of civil society, the media, and responsible citizens against the wave of ignorance, irresponsibility, and Russian information operations," Kobylinska underlined.
The military ombudsperson also expressed indignation that the 2026 budget does not include funds to increase financial support for servicemembers.
"It saddens and embarrasses me that the state budget for 2026 does not allocate funds for increasing servicemembers' financial support. I raised this issue before the budget was prepared. And in the government's defense, I can say that these funds are supposed to be included in future contracts, as the military is to gradually transition to them next year," Kobylinska added.
As reported by Ukrinform, a TCC servicemember was fatally wounded in Lviv while performing his duties. Operational Command West reported that the attacker stabbed servicemember Yurii Bondarenko in the groin area, damaging his aorta and causing massive internal bleeding. He also struck Senior Soldier Vasyl Maliuk in the head before fleeing the scene.
Bondarenko was taken to the hospital, but despite doctors' efforts, he died from critical blood loss.
Operational Command West reported that Bondarenko "was a combat veteran and continued to serve Ukraine in TCC units."
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