Zelensky pushes back on army request for 500,000 more soldiers

The Telegraph: Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday night pushed back on a military request to mobilise 500,000 men to join the fight against Russia amid reports of a mounting spat between Ukraine’s generals and politicians.

During a rare question and answer session, the Ukrainian president told journalists that the military leadership had proposed mobilising “450,000 to 500,000 people”.

“This is a serious number. I need some serious arguments to support this direction,” the Ukrainian president continued.

“I need concrete information on what will then happen with the million-strong military of Ukraine.”

Ukraine’s top general Valerii Zaluzhny, Ukraine’s top general, and defence minister Rustem Umerov were in November ordered to present fresh mobilisation plans after a long-heralded counter-offensive failed to expel Russian forces from the country.

Gen Zaluzhny infuriated the presidential administration in November when he said the war was at a stalemate, a claim slapped down by Mr Zelensky.

In recent days the pair have also grappled over the president’s decision to dismiss regional draft office chiefs over corruption.

At the same time, Ukraine’s army recruiters have faced criticism about their aggressive efforts to replenish their forces as the military faces mounting casualties.