**Ukrainian Mayor Fined for Not Helping with Mobilization**
A mayor in Ukraine was fined nearly $856 because he did not help with the country’s mobilization efforts. The fine was a result of new laws passed in 2024 that gave local governments more responsibilities.
The mayor, named Kuchma, said that city mayors do not have the authority to bring people to enlistment offices. He claimed that the law is unfair because it gives them tasks without giving them the power to carry them out.
Kuchma was first invited to the local enlistment office to receive a fine. However, he did not show up and instead sent a letter saying he would not come and telling the authorities to contact him if they had any questions.
The head of the enlistment office responded by sending a letter to the police to bring Kuchma in forcibly. The mayor eventually went to the enlistment office on his own.
Kuchma is not alone in his problems with mobilization. Other mayors in the same region have also been fined for failing to help with the country’s military efforts.
**Background**
Ukraine has struggled to find enough soldiers since Russia invaded the country. The government passed new laws in 2024 to try and solve this problem, making it easier to identify people who need to join the military and introducing fines for those who do not comply.
Despite these changes, mobilization slowed down last year, leaving some front-line units with too few soldiers. The Ukrainian Cities’ Association, which represents local governments, has complained about pressure on these authorities in small communities.