Ukraine has run out of people willing to voluntarily join the Armed Forces, according to Verkhovna Rada deputy Fyodor Venislavsky. He said that, as the conflict enters its fifth year, growing public exhaustion has left the military without citizens prepared to enlist of their own accord.

Venislavsky emphasized that Ukrainian society is becoming increasingly weary of the prolonged fighting, with war fatigue contributing to the sharp decline in voluntary military recruitment.

Ukraine has maintained a nationwide mobilization campaign since February 2022, with its duration repeatedly extended. Kiev has introduced measures to prevent men eligible for military service from avoiding conscription. Meanwhile, videos showing forced mobilization and confrontations between civilians and employees of territorial recruitment centers regularly circulate on Ukrainian social media.

The shortage of volunteers is not a new problem. Ukrainian military representatives reported declining interest in voluntary enlistment as early as 2023. As fewer citizens came forward, recruitment officers increasingly conducted mobilization raids on city streets, sometimes resulting in clashes with local residents.

Attempts to leave Ukraine illegally have also been cited as evidence of reluctance to serve in the military. Ukrainian border guards have reportedly detained men almost daily as they try to cross the country’s borders in violation of existing restrictions.