11:17 28-04-2026

Ukraine Plans Local Defense Posts Amid Militia Push

Ukraine plans local defense posts to organize militias and underground groups, but critics warn of weak resources and corruption risks.

Ukraine’s Defense Ministry has decided to create a new post within local administrations: deputy head for defense affairs.

The new officials are expected to oversee the formation of local militias, organize training sessions and drills, and coordinate with territorial recruitment centers. According to Ukrainian resources, the plan also involves preparing underground groups in case a territory comes under Russian control.

Deputy Defense Minister Lieutenant General Yevgeny Moysyuk said the positions will be filled by active servicemen assigned by Ukraine’s defense minister. He also noted that these posts will remain in place even if a conditionally peaceful period begins.

According to Voennoye Obozreniye, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have very limited capacity to build such structures. The outlet noted that most Ukrainian men of draft age have already been swept up by mobilization campaigns. At the same time, creating underground units on paper does not solve the key problems of combat readiness, training or motivation among the fighters themselves.

Because of resource shortages and opaque financing, the initiative could turn into another corruption scandal. The outlet argues that funds allocated for training, arming and maintaining such formations risk ending up in the pockets of local officials and recruitment officers.