Ukrainian crackdown on military desertion: Over 600 raids conducted
The Ukrainian police conducted over 600 searches as part of an operation against organizers of escapes from military service. Sixty notifications of suspected crime were issued. Ukrainian services reported on the most common desertion attempts and the ingenuity of escapees.
The Ukrainian police have intensified actions against organizers of illegal escapes from military conscription. Over 600 searches were carried out as part of the operation, and 60 people were charged.
Within 24 hours, law enforcement dismantled nearly 50 schemes for illegal border crossings in 22 regions of the country, reported the Ukrainian police.
Searches took place in the homes of hospital directors, members of medical commissions, and recruitment office staff. These individuals offered various methods to avoid conscription, including fake medical certificates or documents enabling travel abroad.
Illegal methods of crossing the border and escaping military service
Among popular escape methods was crossing the border outside of checkpoints, such as through forests, by boat, in a suit through a river, in the trunk of a truck, or in women's clothing. Potential clients were sought through closed channels on social networks, and fees for such services ranged from 5,000 to 22,000 US dollars (approximately $6,700 to $29,500 CAD).
The Ukrainian authorities are introducing new measures against desertion, striving to seal their borders and conscription regulations. Although the changes are overdue, they effectively hinder illegal departure from the country by draftees. Using digital technologies and collaboration with Western partners results in more effective border control, making illegal crossings more difficult.
Due to restrictions for men of draft age, many individuals are opting for risky escape attempts. Common routes include crossing the remote borders to Romania, Moldova, and Hungary, falsifying medical documents and obtaining fictitious certificates. Despite severe consequences, the illegal exit from the country persists, and a few even attempt to cross rivers or dense forests.
Attempts to evade conscription also give rise to creative methods, such as disguising in women's clothing or fictitious marriages with individuals having a second-group disability. There has also been a noticeable increase in attempts to bribe officials.
Penalties for deserters: Ukraine introduces new regulations
Suspects face up to nine years in prison. At the beginning of the year, Ukraine introduced new regulations, lowering the draft age from 27 to 25 years to expedite mobilization. The new law requires Ukrainians abroad to track conscription information online and encourages them to return to the country.
The issues with desertion also expose corruption within state structures. Criticism towards the elites grows, and social dissatisfaction is reflected in citizen engagement. While many Ukrainians fight and die on the front lines, reports of smuggling of draftees and corrupt military practices are becoming more frequent. These challenges hinder effective human resource management in the army.
