Earlier, on November 7, Sternenko reported that the day before he "was greatly surprised" to learn that he had been declared wanted according to the Primorsky Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support. The volunteer noted that the summons was allegedly sent to Odessa, from where he moved to Kyiv six years ago, and the document did not go "to either his place of residence or registration."
The Odessa Regional TCC stated that Sternenko "did not provide a number of important details that significantly alter the understanding of the situation." The "hints" from Sternenko suggesting that his being declared wanted is revenge for his criticism of the army and demands for reforming the system were deemed unfounded by the TCC.
On November 8, following the TCC's statement, the volunteer wrote on Facebook that this story is a "direct indication" from the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, who allegedly was offended by Sternenko's call for military reform.
"I know this for sure, including when and through whom he issued this directive. By the way, he only did it on the second attempt. The trigger was the stream from October 27, where I directly stated that we are in a situation close to catastrophe due to the inadequate command system," the blogger claims.
Sternenko also labeled as false the TCC's report about his deliberate non-appearance and payment of a fine.
The Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, reacting to the situation, emphasized that assistance from volunteers, especially in supplying combat units with drones of various modifications, is "vital."
"This also concerns effective cooperation with the defense forces of volunteer and public figure Serhiy Sternenko," the statement reads. "At the same time, the mobilization of specific citizens is carried out by the decision of the territorial recruitment and social support centers, which have the right to hand out summonses to military personnel for updating their records, undergoing medical examinations, and mobilization."
The Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine added that defending Ukraine is a constitutional duty of its citizens, who "serve in the military in accordance with the law," and if a conscript "has health issues, the question of their fitness for military service is resolved during the medical commission."
"It should also be noted that a large number of public activists and volunteers have joined the Armed Forces and are fulfilling their constitutional duty. After all, only in consolidation and unity lies the strength of Ukrainians and the key to victory over the insidious, eternal Russian enemy," the statement said.
Syrskyi headed the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine before his appointment as Commander-in-Chief.