President Volodymyr Zelenskyy should sign the law adopted by parliament that strengthens responsibility for committing military administrative offences, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhnyy has said.
He stressed that his opinion clearly reflects the position of the commanders of groups and military units who demanded a systematic solution to this complex of issues.
"The army is based on discipline. And if the gaps in the legislation do not ensure its observance, and the 'dodgers' can pay a fine of up to 10% of combat pay, or be punished with probation, it is unfair. Moreover, and this is key, the exposed areas of the front are forced to be covered by other servicemen, which leads to an increase in losses of personnel, territories and civilians on them. Often lost positions have to be restored by assault actions at a very high cost. It should not be so," Zaluzhnyy said.
He added that it is possible to solve this problem in a softer way in peacetime, but in war we need quick and effective solutions.
Zaluzhny suggested that this will not lead to increased impunity of commanders, as commanders also bear full legal responsibility for their actions or inaction, and he fully trusts his subordinates.
In addition, he emphasized that he is working to eliminate the problems that lead to the unauthorized abandonment of positions, and the successful operations to liberate the territories of Ukraine are a confirmation of this.
"Is it normal that we discuss such sensitive topics in public? Yes, we are in a democratic state. But only as long as it does not harm us to win the war. Therefore, I urge everyone to put an end to this discussion. And to bring the Victory closer together," Zaluzhnyy concluded.
As previously reported, civil society organizations and human rights activists called on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to veto the law No 8271, which strengthens responsibility for committing military administrative offences. Parliament adopted it on 13 December.