Lutsenko’s Sharp Critique of Ukrainian Society
- KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Former Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Yuriy Lutsenko, now a soldier and aerial reconnaissance expert, asserts that ukraine's most affluent and influential citizens are not...
- In an interview, Lutsenko stated that the lack of participation from the nation's elite is a critical issue.
- Lutsenko argues that this refusal of the elite to engage in the war effort has a demoralizing effect on the broader population.
Lutsenko: Ukraine’s Elite Must Fight or Face Consequences
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Former Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Yuriy Lutsenko, now a soldier and aerial reconnaissance expert, asserts that ukraine’s most affluent and influential citizens are not participating in the ongoing conflict, calling it a “deep moral fault of society.”
Mobilization of the Apex
In an interview, Lutsenko stated that the lack of participation from the nation’s elite is a critical issue. “Our basic problem is that the richest, most influential people do not fight,” he said. ”We see almost no pop stars,famous politicians,or top figures from the Forbes list at the front lines.”
Lutsenko argues that this refusal of the elite to engage in the war effort has a demoralizing effect on the broader population. He suggests that many Ukrainians are choosing to evade service as they see the country’s leaders failing to lead by example.
Radical Measures Proposed
To address this disparity, Lutsenko proposes drastic measures. he believes the president should mandate that those who refuse to fight face imprisonment and asset confiscation.”This is called the mobilization of the apex,” Lutsenko explained, referencing the initial mobilization efforts in 2022.
He criticized what he sees as a subsequent “demobilization” and a widespread movement to avoid service, which he claims is far larger than the number of active combatants.
A Critical Juncture
Lutsenko believes Ukraine is approaching a critical point. He stated,”Either something will happen in the world that will change the situation radically,or something critical will come in our situation,when the top will be forced to work and live differently.”
He also highlighted the lack of punishment for those evading service, estimating that less than 1% face any consequences. Lutsenko contends that petty crimes are frequently enough punished more severely than draft evasion or desertion.
Hoping for a Catalyst
When questioned about what might compel the elite to join the war effort and change the mobilization situation, Lutsenko suggested a dire scenario: “An offensive from Belarus to Kyiv, for example. I am very counting on him, so to speak.”
He believes that a renewed threat to the capital could force a rapid self-organization for war, similar to the initial response in 2022. Lutsenko lamented the bureaucratic hurdles currently in place, stating that even in the fourth year of the war, simple actions require excessive paperwork.
Lutsenko expressed hope that competent individuals will be placed in appropriate positions to streamline the war effort.
Views on Recruitment centers and Foreign Fighters
Lutsenko also shared his views on Territorial Centers for Recruitment and Social Support (TCC), stating that changes are needed in related areas rather than within the TCCs themselves. He advocates for policies that encourage more people to join the TCCs, including increased recruitment of foreign fighters by offering better pay and facilitating their entry into Ukraine.
Manpower Needs
Regarding manpower, Lutsenko estimates that mobilizing an additional 800,000 men would allow Ukraine to sustain the war effort for another year, even with troop rotations. However,he acknowledged that current mechanisms are insufficient to mobilize such a large number.