MOSCOW, November 24. /TASS/. Former Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Anna Malyar has said that Ukrainians should not be so afraid of mobilization, and need to make peace with the harsh realities of life.

"The time for popular solutions has already passed. They are exhausted; there is no place for them in such a complex war. We, as an adult society, have to make peace with this and not expect things to be all hunky-dory every day. It can't be like that," she said. "Frankly speaking, I don't understand why mobilization is such a frightening topic for society," she pointed out.

Malyar stressed that those who stayed in the country did so consciously, and therefore should realize that Ukraine has a "long road ahead of it." "And along this road there are some unpleasant, sad realities, yes, but the Russians just physically have more people, we have a smaller army; it will not get bigger. Yes, we have that problem. We have fewer weapons. And we should not be afraid to talk about it," she added.

Since February 2022, Ukraine has announced and repeatedly extended general mobilization, with the country's authorities doing everything possible to prevent men of military age from evading service. In particular, they are forbidden from traveling abroad, and summonses are issued in state institutions, on the streets, and in all places where people gather. According to Ukrainian media, many men literally do not leave their homes for months to avoid being sent to the conflict zone.

The mobilization has already led to numerous scandals. The media regularly report on how military officers use violence against citizens when handing over summonses, how people who are unfit for service for health reasons fall under mobilization, and how deputies and officials evade mobilization and take their conscription-age sons abroad. On August 23, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said that the military had asked him to step up mobilization activities.