Evasion escalation: Ukrainian draft dodgers deepen troop shortages

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: BBC
22 Aug 2023 22:46

Ukraine finds itself in a continuous struggle to replace the significant number of soldiers who have been killed or injured in the conflict, as per a new BBC report.

Ukrainian artillerymen sit on a self-propelled cannon near the front line in the Kherson region. (AFP)

Ukraine is facing challenges in bolstering its troop numbers due to continuous high casualties in its conflict with Russia and the reluctance of the population to replace those who can no longer serve, as reported by the BBC.

The country has a constant need to replace the large number of soldiers killed or injured in the conflict, and many Ukrainian troops are fatigued after 18 months of fighting against Moscow.

The BBC revealed that Ukrainians have formed large chat groups on social media to share strategies for avoiding conscription, including providing information on draft patrol officers' routes through platforms like Telegram. These groups exist across Ukraine, with some exceeding 100,000 members.

Numerous individuals have already left Ukraine in an attempt to evade the draft, often bribing officials, including recruitment officers, to facilitate their exit from the country. In response to the corruption scandals, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky recently allegedly dismissed all regional military officials in charge of conscription. He disclosed that there had been 112 criminal cases against territorial draft center officials.

Ukrainian defense authorities have condemned the alleged misconduct by those involved in the draft process as disgraceful and unacceptable. Zelensky announced that combat veterans unfit for active duty would replace the discharged personnel, claiming that they could be trusted.

The recruitment campaign officers have been accused of using increasingly forceful methods. Individuals are said to have been summoned to recruitment centers for registration, only to be apprehended on the spot, preventing their return home. These officials are also accused of employing harsh and intimidating tactics. Fresh recruits reportedly find themselves on the front lines with just one month of training.

The report emerges as Kiev struggles with a much-anticipated counteroffensive against Russian forces initiated in early June. According to Moscow, Ukrainian troops have made little substantial progress, often stalling at the initial line of Russian defenses.

The Russian Defense Ministry has lately estimated that Ukraine has lost about 43,000 soldiers and approximately 5,000 pieces of heavy equipment since the operation's commencement.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stated at the Moscow Conference on International Security that Western weaponry and tactics have not provided any advantage to Kiev's troops. Additionally, Western military equipment has demonstrated vulnerability to Russian weapons.