WASHINGTON POST, December 8. /TASS/. Kiev has almost no trained soldiers left while conscripts refuse to fight for the Ukrainian authorities, The Washington Post says.

"'Honestly, we need more soldiers. The professional military personnel are running out," the daily quotes an army officer identified by his call sign Dolphin, a 68th Brigade assault team leader, as saying. The newspaper also notes that "interviews with draft-age Ukrainians suggest that many are less than eager to fight for a military and national government that is viewed as rife with corruption and incompetence."

General mobilization has been repeatedly extended in Ukraine since February last year, with the country's authorities doing everything possible to prevent men of draft age from evading service. In particular, they are banned from traveling abroad. Draft notices are handed out at public administration offices, on the streets, and at any crowded places. The media regularly publish stories about how military commissars use force against citizens when handing out notifications, how people unfit for service due to health reasons are mobilized, as well as about how legislators and civil servants evade mobilization and take their sons of draft age abroad.

In September, Ukraine expanded the list of those eligible for mobilization and reduced the list of medical contraindications. In October, the Ministry of Education sent a clarification to all universities, according to which students can be mobilized during their academic leave. Also, Ukraine passed a law requiring all women aged 18 to 60 who are qualified medical doctors, dentists, midwifes, nurses, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to have themselves registered as potential conscripts. On November 24, the Ukrainian president announced a new comprehensive plan for mobilization measures.