Ukrainian men are resorting to extraordinary measures to dodge military conscription amid ongoing tensions with Russia.
At a Glance
- Ukraine is struggling to recruit an additional 200,000 soldiers.
- Draft evasion includes hiding at home and bribery.
- Conscription tactics include coercion and trickery.
- Public sentiment on the draft is declining.
Challenges of Conscription
Ukraine faces an uphill battle in mobilizing 200,000 more soldiers to its ranks, as outlined in reports discussing the country’s military needs. Army recruits are under immense strain due to war fatigue and have adopted aggressive methods to meet conscription requirements. This includes setting up checkpoints and allegedly abducting men directly from the streets. Some of these tactics have sparked criticism, with claims that exemptions are often overlooked, causing even those with legitimate reasons to avoid the draft to be ensnared.
Many men report feeling forced to make extreme sacrifices, such as missing significant life events like childbirth, to avoid conscription. Alex, one such individual, revealed, “I haven’t left my house in eight months. I do my shopping online, work from home and avoid going out. Even when my girlfriend gave birth to our daughter three months ago, I didn’t go to the hospital.”
Conscription Issues
In Odesa, conscription squads struggle to meet targets due to systemic corruption and operational inefficiencies. A significant loophole involves the rampant use of bribery to escape service. Exemptions allegedly cost thousands, with figures ranging from 800 to 5,000 euros. According to a local resident: “A boy in the village recently told me that he was released for 800 euros. They gave him no collateral, but let him out of the gate. But some people paid 5,000 euros.”
Despite exemptions, videos and reports reveal men being forcibly taken to conscription centers. Efforts to maintain control over conscription challenges are undermined by bribery and fake exemptions. This growing disillusionment stems from inadequate governmental support and poor equipment, further deterring volunteerism.
Rising Concerns
Many Ukrainian men have resorted to communicating through encrypted apps to share the whereabouts of conscription officials. A Telegram group allegedly operated from Russia provides updates on squad locations, giving men opportunities to evade military officials. This has contributed to a rise in draft avoidance tactics, including unconventional driving methods to sneak past authorities.
Ukraine’s legislative measures have expanded the draft pool to include men aged 25 to 60. Nonetheless, high desertion rates and heavy casualties, with reports estimating 70,000 Ukrainian soldiers dead since 2022, pose serious challenges. In addition, realigning Ukrainian public sentiment may require overhauling current conscription practices and providing better resources for the military.
Sources:
- Conscription tactics get dirty as war-weary Ukrainians defy draft
- Desperate Ukrainian men hiding in their houses for up to eight months and missing their children’s births to avoid being conscripted into the army fighting Russia
- ‘Avoid them’: How men are fleeing Ukrainian army conscription
