The Armed Forces of Ukraine have issued a statement on social media regarding volunteer Serhiy Sternenko.
The other day, Sternenko said that he was wanted for failing to appear at the Primorsky Recruiting and Training Centre in Odesa region on summons, and linked it to his criticism of the army system and calls for reforms for the military. He explained that the summons had been sent to his old address, where he had not lived for a long time, and that he had entered his new address and all his recent data into the ‘Reserve+’ system. Moreover, there is no information about the activist being wanted in the ‘Reserve+’ system.
The Odesa Regional Military Commissariat responded that it was acting “exclusively within the framework of the law” and that Sternenko had failed to provide a number of important details, including that he had already allegedly visited the Primorsk Regional Military Commissariat, where he had paid an administrative fine for violating the rules of military registration, and that he had been referred to a military medical commission.
Later, Sternenko accused the chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, of personally organising a hunt for him by the RTC, as he wanted to take revenge for criticising the system of command and control of the troops.
And here is the response of the Armed Forces:
The Armed Forces of Ukraine highly appreciate the contribution and assistance of Ukrainian volunteers in the fight against the Russian occupiers. In the face of an enemy that is superior in manpower and equipment, such assistance is vital, especially in providing combat units with drones of various modifications. This also applies to the effective cooperation with the Defence Forces of volunteer and public figure Serhiy Sternenko.
At the same time, the mobilisation of specific citizens is carried out by the decision of the territorial recruitment and social support centres, which have the right to serve calls on persons liable for military service to clarify their credentials, undergo medical examinations and be mobilised.
According to Article 65 of the Constitution of Ukraine, the defence of the Motherland, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine is a constitutional duty of Ukrainian citizens. Citizens perform military service in accordance with the law.
If a citizen liable for military service has health problems, the issue of his or her fitness for military service is decided during the preliminary military qualification examination.
It should also be remembered that a large number of civil society activists and volunteers have joined the Armed Forces and are fulfilling their constitutional duty. After all, only consolidation and unity are the strength of Ukrainians and the key to victory over the insidious, eternal Russian enemy.