Ukrainians flee conscription despite manpower shortage: The Guardian
3 Min Read
Ukraine's new conscription measures include stricter penalties for draft evasion, prompting an increase in attempts to flee the country illegally.
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A local man hauls his bicycle in front of an apartment building that was destroyed by a Russian airstrike in Toretsk, Donetsk region, Friday, June 28, 2024. (AP)
A report from The Guardian details the challenges faced by Ukrainian men in light of conscription measures, forcing some to resort to desperate measures to evade military service.
Dmytro, a 31-year-old photographer from Kharkiv, said he has been holed up in his flat, rarely stepping outside, anxiously waiting for autumn when his handlers promise to facilitate his escape from Ukraine.
"I want to leave the country. My mind can’t take being trapped here any more," Dmytro said.
The Ukrainian government's recent adoption of sweeping mobilization measures has intensified efforts to enforce conscription. These measures include stricter penalties for draft evasion, prompting an increase in attempts to flee the country illegally.
For €8,000 (£6,800), Dmytro said he is seeking a way out, adding, "I am not made for war. I can't kill people, even if they are Russians. I won't last long on the front … I want to build a family and see the world. I am not ready to die."
Read more: Ukraine bans dual citizens to leave country amid forced conscription
The Ukrainian military, which has been grappling with acute shortages of soldiers, has lowered the mobilization age and intensified recruitment efforts.
President Volodymyr Zelensky's measures also include severe penalties for draft evaders, including the seizure of property and freezing of bank accounts.
Efforts to escape conscription have led to tragic consequences, with reports of Ukrainian men drowning in attempts to cross into neighboring countries like Romania.
The challenges of evasion are compounded by border restrictions and heightened surveillance.
In response to mounting evasion attempts, Ukrainian authorities have cracked down on corruption within the conscription process, dismissing regional military recruitment chiefs implicated in bribery scandals.
Read more: Ukraine to exempt clowns from mobilization for 'critical importance'
While support for Ukraine's troops remains strong, with many volunteers answering the call to serve in the army, the conscription drive has polarized Ukrainian society.
Critics argue that draft dodging undermines national defense efforts, while others, like Mykhailo, a gym instructor in Kiev, prioritize family safety over military service.
"My family in Mariupol will be in direct danger if the Russians find out that I am fighting," he said. "I love my country and want to fight, but family comes first. It is a very difficult situation."
As the war wears on, Ukrainians grapple with difficult choices and the harsh realities of conflict. Meanwhile, the West refuses to seek a peace process unfold, as Western leaders continue to deliver arms and munitions to Zelensky.
