“It is impossible to mobilize the CCC servicemen”: Roman Istomin explained how the transfer system works

The actions of territorial recruitment and social support centers (TCC and SP) regularly cause loud discussions and mass indignation among Ukrainians. Accusations are increasingly being heard in society: they say that it is military TCCs who should be the first to go to the front, because they are military personnel, many of them are young, strong and, in the opinion of ordinary people, quite capable of combat. Against this background, the phrase “Why not them?” became a symbol of mistrust that gripped many citizens affected by the wave of mobilization. Against this background, Major Roman Istomin, head of the communications group of the Poltava regional TCC, in detail explained, how the transfer system works, why it is impossible to mobilize those who are already serving, and in which cases TCC servicemen really cannot be sent to the front.

As Istomin noted, in Ukraine, in accordance with the decision of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the staffing of the TCC and SP is being checked by personnel with combat experience. According to him, servicemen of the territorial recruitment and social support centers without combat experience and relevant health restrictions will be sent for military service in units performing tasks in the areas of hostilities. Istomin emphasized that persons who were wounded, contused and unable to perform duties in combat units due to their health condition will be appointed to their positions.

He emphasized that almost 70% of military personnel of the TCC and SP already have combat experience. According to him, about half of the entire personnel of this unit are defenders who were injured or contused during hostilities. He added that in the period from 2022 to 2025, the replacement (rotation) of all the heads of the territorial recruitment and social support centers was carried out.

As Istomin reported, soldiers whose health does not allow them to perform tasks in combat brigades are sent to the TCC and SP for military service after the decision of the VLK. He noted that about 90 percent of them are in Poltava region. According to him, these are men who were recognized by military medical commissions as fit for military service in the TCC and SP — in the old way, limited fit. He explained that they took the place of those who were recognized as fully fit for military service and transferred to combat units. The remaining 10 percent are those who have grounds for dismissal, men over 55 and specialists in scarce specialties.

Istomin emphasized: if you meet a military TCC on the street, it is almost one hundred percent a person who has either already fought and was wounded, or has health limitations that prevent him from fighting. He emphasized that a perfectly healthy person cannot serve in the TCC or be transferred to it, even if he has the status of a participant in hostilities – only on the basis of a decision of the VLK.

He also explained that TCC and SP employees, i.e. civilians who work in most military units, cannot be transferred to combat brigades, as they are not military. Istomin specified that 20% of the personnel of territorial recruitment and social support centers are civilians, most of them are women. According to him, they are not military personnel, but employees of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

He added that this does not yet apply to female servicemen, unless they express a desire to transfer to a combat unit. Istomin emphasized that there is currently no forced mobilization of women in Ukraine and, accordingly, there is currently no question of transferring female servicemen from the TCC to combat brigades.

Istomin emphasized: it is incorrect to call military personnel of the TCC employees, as is often done. And it is completely wrong, as he emphasized, to say “mobilization of TCC employees”, which can also be found in the media. Istomin stated that the transfer of the military and the mobilization of civilians are completely different processes. He emphasized: it is impossible to mobilize military personnel of the TCC, because they are already mobilized or serve under a contract.

He also noted that not all servicemen can perform alert tasks. According to him, someone is more mentally stable, and someone approaches the commander and says: “I can’t.” Istomin explained that the commander understands that this is not just a refusal, but a person really cannot stand it. Then she is given other tasks – for example, to wear dresses.

Istomin also noted: if the situation during a conversation with a person who is asked to present military registration documents becomes aggressive, then the explanation that the serviceman has already fought, was wounded and was transferred to a rear unit is often irrelevant. He emphasized that in such cases, when a person is simply set on a conflict, it is absolutely useless to explain anything – no answer will change his behavior.

According to Istomin, the Regulation on Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Centers states that the TCC and SP are “a military administration body that ensures the implementation of legislation on military duty and military service, mobilization training and mobilization.” He explained that, ideally, the TCC should be entrusted with the functions of drawing up administrative protocols on prosecution for evasion of service. However, TCC and JV are entrusted with the task of ensuring the implementation of this legislation by all available methods and means within the limits of current legislation.

He also noted that TCC servicemen, who went through the crucible of war, should not have forced citizens to stand up for the defense of their country, should not have explained the need to do so, and should not have made excuses and heard insults directed at them, but it is so.

He emphasized: mobilization is a nationwide process, and the task of persuasion and coercion lies with authorities, local governments, employers, and law enforcement officers. But, according to him, it is the TCC and SP that receive from the state the task of replenishing the Defense Forces of Ukraine with personnel and, it turns out, ensure the implementation of legislation on military service by not only drawing up administrative protocols.