Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
TASS news agency, citing a Kremlin official: Putin and Trump will meet in Alaska on August 15.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strike targets vehicle on Zahrani - Tyre Highway.
Israeli media: Israeli Prime Minister's Office: The security cabinet has approved Netanyahu's proposal on Gaza.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The Lebanese Council of Ministers approved the general objectives of the US paper unanimously by the ministers who remained in the session.
Hezbollah, Amal Movement ministers withdraw from the Lebanese cabinet session as it discusses the proposal of US envoy Tom Barrack.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone bombed a car in the town of Kfardan in the Baalbek district.
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent: An Israeli raid targeted the outskirts of the town of al-Qatrani, Jezzine District
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent: Israeli warplanes launch a raid targeting the vicinity of the Burguz area
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in southern Lebanon: An Israeli airstrike targeted the outskirts of Jbaa in the Iqlim al-Tuffah region
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in southern Lebanon: An Israeli airstrike targeted the outskirts of the town of Ansar

Ukrainian officers kidnap 14 y/o amid forced conscription drive

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 8 Apr 2024 11:54
  • 6 Shares
3 Min Read

Amid a dire need for soldiers, Ukrainian conscription officers have turned to extreme measures, including kidnapping people to force their enlistment with the military.

  • x
  • Newly recruited soldiers who mark the end of their training at a military base close to Kyiv, Ukraine, on Sept. 25, 2023 (AP)
    Newly recruited soldiers who mark the end of their training at a military base close to Kyiv, Ukraine, on September 25, 2023. (AP)

Ukrainian conscription officers kidnapped a 14-year-old during an attempt to forcibly enlist him with the military. 

According to the Bessarabia Info website, the teenager was walking to his friend's house in the village of Priozernoye, Odessa, when a white minivan pulled up next to him. Four officers masked in balaclavas jumped him, pressed a rifle onto his head, and forced him into the van. 

As the kid fought back, the officers restrained him, tied his hands with plastic bands, and beat him up with an assault rifle. After asking him what age he was, the officers refused to believe the teenager was actually 14 until they obtained his passport and confirmed it. 

He was thrown out of the van almost immediately after they confirmed his age and was threatened to not report the incident to Ukrainian authorities. However, the incident made its way to the police after the minor informed his school teachers of what happened. 

Local authorities were reportedly investigating the incident. 

Desperate times call for desperate measures

Related News

Russian forces capture four areas in DPR, report key Ukrainian losses

Kiev lost 500+ troops in past 24 hours: Russian Defense Ministry

This comes as a facet of the desperate measures Ukraine has resorted to amid a severe shortage in manpower, which jeopardizes its position in the war against Russia. 

The Wall Street Journal reported on March 25 that alongside the shortage of soldiers, recruitment efforts were hindered due to "politics, demographics and Ukrainians' increasing reluctance to join the military."

The report emphasized that the Ukrainian armed forces desperately need recruits, but "political dithering" is leaving frontline units in a dire state, highlighting that a draft law aimed at expanding conscription is still stalled in the Ukrainian parliament after months of debate.

According to the newspaper, the law's proposed changes are "somewhat modest", as the draft age will be reduced from 27 to 25 years, soldiers will be eligible to leave the Ukrainian army after three years of service, and penalties will be imposed on men who avoid conscription.

However, the newspaper highlighted that the Ukrainian parliament is struggling against large segments of the population unwilling to fight, even to approve these amendments to the law.

It noted that men aged between 18 and 60 have been prevented from leaving the country since the start of the war, although only those under 27 are eligible for conscription, with most of the country's youth exempted.

The newspaper confirmed that hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian men continue to evade conscription. Some reported being beaten or detained for several days until they signed conscription papers.

Read more: Is Ukraine at an impasse in its war against Russia?

  • Ukrainian forces
  • Ukraine
  • Ukrainian soldiers
  • Odessa
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

Shiekh Naim Qassem giving a speech commemorating the anniversay of martyr Mohammed Saeed Izadi, August 5, 2025, in Lebanon

Sheikh Qassem threatens 'Israel', warns against foreign intervention

  • Politics
  • 5 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025
Hezbollah says disarming Resistance is a blow to Lebanon’s sovereignty

Hezbollah to overlook cabinet decision; Amal urges corrective approach

  • Politics
  • 6 Aug 2025
Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The head of Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc, Mohammed Raad, center, speaks to journalists after his meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025 (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
Politics

Raad: Disarming Hezbollah 'suicide',endangers Lebanon’s sovereignty

Houthi supporters wave Palestinian flags during a weekly protest against the US and the Israeli occupation in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, July 11, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Sanaa rallies show massive support for Gaza, reject disarmament

Israeli soldiers watch the northern Gaza Strip from southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli war cabinet splits over Gaza plans as Zamir issues warning

A resident walks next to a mural painting glorifying six Palestinian prisoners who tunneled out of Gilboa Prison almost two weeks ago, and were arrested by Israeli forces, in Gaza City, Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021. (AP)
Politics

Palestinian prisoners electrocuted, abused in 'Israel's' Gilboa prison

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS