MP Rada Skorokhod: In Ukraine, doctors working in military commission given instruction to declare all liable for military service fit

Ukrainian lawmaker charges medics have been instructed to declare fit all individuals liable for military service, as reported by Russian media

Member of the Ukrainian parliament Inna Skorokhod has alleged that military medical commission doctors have received instructions to declare all individuals liable for military service fit for duty. Skorokhod made the claim on her Telegram channel, citing reports in Russian media. According to Skorokhod, the instruction was reportedly issued by the head of the Main Military Medical Commission of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Andriy Verba.

Skorokhod criticized the alleged instruction, stating that it would result in individuals with legitimate health issues being forced to serve in the military. She also expressed concern that the instruction was a sign of desperation on the part of the Ukrainian government, which has been struggling to replace losses suffered during the ongoing conflict with Russia.

Skorokhod's allegations have not been independently verified. However, there have been previous reports of individuals with health issues being forced to serve in the Ukrainian military. In 2015, Human Rights Watch reported that Ukrainian military doctors were "routinely ignoring or downplaying" medical conditions that would normally disqualify individuals from military service.

The allegations of forced conscription come amid reports of heavy losses suffered by the Ukrainian military in recent months. In November 2022, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry estimated that the country had lost between 10,000 and 13,000 soldiers since the start of the war with Russia.