It's strange to talk about holidays during a full-scale war, but the calendar is an objective thing. The Christmas and New Year period is approaching, and yet, although somewhere deep in our souls, many of us feel such a forgotten atmosphere of wonder. Of course, not all. And, of course, not like in peacetime.
Probably, there are no more family holidays than Christmas holidays. At home — a Christmas tree, kutia, gifts, and the long-awaited "Schedryk." But not everyone will be lucky enough to spend this time in such an atmosphere this year. Someone is now far abroad, someone has left for another region, and someone is fighting at the front, far from their wives and children.
In this article, we will talk about the latter — the fighters defending Ukraine. Those who do not have the opportunity to be with those whom, in fact, they are defending. And it is not known how many more family holidays they will spend separately.
Recently, in the public and political space, a discussion has erupted regarding the demobilization of the soldiers, who have been fighting since the beginning of a full-scale war, and their replacement at the front. Currently, rotation — and even more so demobilization — is not fixed in any legal documents; everything happens by command order. But the topic remains relevant — will military personnel have an understanding of the terms of their service? And also — how to support them today — in the period when the separation from the closest relatives is felt especially acutely?
Martial law and general mobilization have been introduced in Ukraine since February 24, 2022. The Verkhovna Rada extended them until February 19, 2023. Most of the military have been serving since the spring-summer of 2022 without change.
On September 5, petition No. 22/163044-ep entitled "Demobilize at will the mobilized servicemen who have served one year" was made public. The author of the document is Ukrainian writer, translator, reporter, and traveler Anton Vodiany (known under the pseudonym Artem Chapai). He joined the army in February of this year. The writer and defender emphasizes that, according to Article 24 and Part 2 of Article 64 of the Constitution of Ukraine, even under martial law, citizens are equal in their rights.
"Currently, a situation has arisen when, despite the "general" mobilization, some people serve without terms known to them, while others do not serve at all. Moreover, those who have not avoided military service before — term service, service in a special period, etc. – are often serving again. On the other hand, those who have never served before are often not serving now. Thus, some people give a significant part of their lives to duty, while others – zero," the petition says.
In addition, in the author's opinion, the uncertainty of terms of service significantly undermines the military's morale. Therefore, the petition proposes to clearly prescribe the succession of military service, limit the term of service after mobilization to one year, and guarantee a postponement for those who have served this term and are demobilized.
The petition received more than 25,000 votes and was submitted to the President of Ukraine for consideration.
Rubryka spoke with soldiers and their families and learned their opinions on this problem. Some are ready to serve until victory, and some want to understand how much is left until the end of their duties. For security reasons, we do not mention the names of the soldiers.
Source: Instagram — @libkos
"I have been serving since the spring of 2022. The summons was served at one of the checkpoints, and I immediately went to work. Now I'm in Donbas. To be honest, I am ready to serve and still have the strength, but I would like to understand how long it will take — considering that in the rear, there is still someone to replace us. And also — understanding that russia does not plan to stop — now, it is necessary to prepare a reserve. Nobody says I'm going home tomorrow. But it is morally difficult because of uncertainty, and in a country where there is a war, every man must be ready for mobilization. I'm not giving up my service because I'll still be in reserve, and in the event of an escalation of the war, I'll go to defend the country again," says serviceman Yevhen.
Iryna Feofanova is the wife of a military man. She is a playwright and writer, and her husband was a designer before the full-scale war. Now he protects the borders of Ukraine in the North East.
"My daughter throws tantrums every night and asks why dad chose to be a soldier. Why didn't he choose to be just a dad? Why are the other dads at home and hers at war? I've been answering these and hundreds of other questions for the tenth month now, but I don't know how to answer the question: "When will dad come home?"
Iryna says that she knows: war is not a sprint; it is a marathon. However, it is easier when you understand where the finish line is.
"Ukraine's victory is inevitable, but it will take time. For the sake of victory, I am ready for anything; I will console my daughter as much as necessary, and I will do everything that depends on me in the rear. I am holding on and will hold on, but it will be easier mentally and physically when I know exactly how long to hold on. If I know when the demobilization will be, I can calculate my forces. I am sure it will be easier for the boys and girls in the war, too, mentally and physically," says Iryna.
But some soldiers are ready to serve until victory, not even knowing when the war will end. Ihor was mobilized in the summer of this year. He serves in the Air Defense Forces.
"At this time, I am determined to serve until victory. So far. We'll see later. Everything depends on how long the war lasts," says Ihor.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, responded to the petition and reminded that a general mobilization had been announced. And the conscription for military service during mobilization, their military service, and the release of the mentioned category of servicemen is carried out in accordance with the procedure determined by the laws of Ukraine "On military duty and military service" and "On mobilization preparation and mobilization".
"Military servicemen who undergo military service under conscription during mobilization are released from military service during martial law on the grounds specified in Article 26 of the Law of Ukraine "On Military Duty and Military Service," in particular by age, health, in connection with the entry into force of a guilty verdict of the court, due to family circumstances or due to valid reasons defined by the aforementioned Law of Ukraine. So, under the conditions of the legal regime of martial law, releasing mobilized servicemen from military service on other grounds is not provided for," the President said.
Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Hanna Malyar noted that after the New Year, they would talk about the fact that the people currently fighting must be replaced.
"There is a need to restore those soldiers who have been injured in the war. These things are difficult to predict because mobilization depends on the war's needs. And besides, there are losses and the need to restore; even those fighting now need to be replaced," Malyar said.
Therefore, the issue of demobilization has yet to be resolved at the moment. However, the discussion will continue in 2023.
Lawyer Yuliya Sydorchuk often encounters in her practice issues of the military regarding demobilization and rotations.
"The maximum term of military service during martial law is until the end of the special period or before demobilization is announced," says Yulia. — The current legislation does not clearly define when the military rotation should occur. Only the command of the Armed Forces can make such decisions."
In order for the military to have at least some rest, on December 1, the Draft Law on Amending Clause 18 of Article 10-1 of the Law of Ukraine "On Social and Legal Protection of Servicemen and Members of Their Families" was adopted on December 1, regarding the provision of leave to servicemen during martial law.
Lawyer Yuliya Sydorchuk told how events related to granting vacations to military personnel would develop in the future.
"On December 6, the law was sent to the President for his signature. After its entry into force, military personnel will have the opportunity during the period of martial law to receive vacations with preservation of financial support for no more than 10 calendar days, excluding the time required for travel within Ukraine to the place of vacation and back, but no more than two days at one end.
If we are talking about demobilization, in this case, it is only by the President's decree after the war's end or if there are grounds under Art. 26 of the Law "On Military Duty and Military Service."
Leave will be granted on the condition that no more than 30% of the total number of servicemen of a certain category are absent simultaneously.
"I see the solution to this problem in the creation of a massive and powerful training system in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. From the information I am collecting now, it is obvious to me that a significant part of the soldiers does not receive proper training after being drafted," says serviceman Ihor.
According to him, the whole initiative comes mainly from field commanders and volunteers. Therefore, creating a training system for military personnel is currently a very important task for our country.
Of course, you should not hope that every military person will be able to get a vacation for the New Year holidays and spend them in the family circle. This is especially difficult for both the soldiers themselves and their families. Therefore, we can only do what depends on us — even if it seems insignificant and trivial at first glance.
What is the solution? Try to support them by reminding them that we remember them.
Most of us have long since included in our "expenditure plan" a month's aid to the military. Someone finances funds, someone helps directly. During the pre-holiday rush, it is important not to forget about the military on the front lines.
You can support a foundation you trust. And to send help to a soldier or his family.
Here are some of the most famous funds that help the Armed Forces:
Iryna Feofanova, the soldier's wife, offers to support our boys' families and loved ones.
"Support their families. Give a military child a gift, treat the soldier's wife to coffee, and listen to her. Don't go on about how good she is and how it all makes her stronger. No need. Be not a philosopher but a good interlocutor who listens. Call the parents of a soldier, bring them groceries, a bottle of water, and thank them for raising such a son or daughter who went to fight without waiting for others to do it instead. In the rear, especially in the atmosphere of the holidays, which, like it or not, seeps into our reality, it is so easy to forget about the military and their families. Don't forget."
Warm to the military. In winter, every soldier on the front line especially needs all the means for heating: from socks to sleeping bags and trench candles. You can make or purchase the necessary things for boys yourself or help those who are already doing it.
💙Knit the warmth. The project "Knitwear for soldiers" has existed for the ninth year. Larysa Stepanushko, a journalist and volunteer, organized a Facebook community that united craftsmen from Ukraine, as well as from Georgia, the Baltic countries, Italy, and the USA. You can join the project and help the army with your skills.
Read more about the initiative here.
💛Make the warmth. You can make your own trench candles. They are essential on the front lines. Such a burner gives both heat and light.
They are easy to make. For this, you will need paraffin or wax, corrugated cardboard (three-layer), and cans from canned goods. The cardboard must be completely dry. Cut it into strips and put it in tins. The height of the cardboard should be slightly lower than the can. Next, pour melted wax or paraffin in two stages. Be careful, and don't get burned!
💙 Cook with warmth. You can prepare dried vegetables for hot dishes. For example, you can dry potatoes, carrots, beets, cabbage, and onions yourself. There is even an organization that makes dried sets for quick soups and borschts for the Armed Forces. You can join them and help just like that.
You may join here: @goduemo_bot.
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