Ukraine crisis: Kiev reinstates conscription

[Bosonic]

Source: BBC

Ukraine's acting President Olexander Turchynov has reinstated military conscription to deal with deteriorating security in the east of the country.

The move, announced in a decree, came as pro-Russia militants seized the regional prosecutor's office in the eastern city of Donetsk.

Ukraine blames Russia for organising the seizures of a number of offices in the east, a claim Moscow denies.

...

On Thursday, his office said in a statement that conscription was being introduced "given the deteriorating situation in the east and the south... the rising force of armed pro-Russian units and the taking of public administration buildings... which threaten territorial integrity".

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27247428

[Ash_F]

1. Why can't they get enough willing soldiers? /nt

[ballyhoo]

2. Great question........

[Jesus Malverde]

5. They told the Fascists they couldn't play and ran out of players...nt

[jakeXT]

10. They have had problems feeding their soldiers

US ships 300,000 MREs to Ukraine military
http://thehill.com/policy/defense/202135-us-ships-300000-mres-to-ukraine-military

[Ash_F]

15. That is unfortunate.

I hope young men don't need to join up just to have something to eat in that country.

[jakeXT]

16. It reminds me of Russia's military of the past decade

“They’ve been doing it to themselves,” said Olga Oliker, a national security policy analyst at the Rand Corp. “It’s a corrupt, broken system. And they’re not putting money or resources into it. Things have been getting siphoned off.”

Kiev has raised defense spending from $1.45 billion in 2009 to $1.9 billion last year, according to Jane’s Defense Weekly. Some of the money apparently is being diverted: On the list of military needs are essentials such as blankets and food.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/apr/23/sold-out-ukraines-leadership-swapped-best-military/

[Jesus Malverde]

3. Conscription, rule by decree, "acting" president

Sounds legit...

[Nihil]

17. "No sirree! No double standards around here at all!" (n/t)

[Comrade Grumpy]

4. Ukraine has an army? Who knew?

[Jesus Malverde]

7. I like how they are referred to as Kiev.

Almost as if they don't have any legitimacy outside of the city.

[LanternWaste]

11. Neither is confusing "standing up to" and "going to take on..."

"Not a sign of wisdom..."

Neither is confusing "standing up to" and "going to take on..."

[bemildred]

8. You don't have that much time, Mr. President.

To recruit and train and field an Army takes time. Assuming you have the means to do that in the first place.

I almost sympathize with him.

[starroute]

9. Are they going to conscript people in the areas that are already restive?

That sounds like a good recipe for further trouble.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

12. when i read your post i got a mental image of

a cartoon which basically had an image of a number of kids and men getting a paper(notification of conscription) then one of them arriving at the base getting equipped then a final one of them moving to stand by relatives that are currently occupying some eastern areas. or explained in 6 words: Kiev basically arming those opposing them

[dipsydoodle]

14. Kiev basically arming those opposing them

Same thought occurred to me too.