Young Ukrainians risk lives in desperate bid to evade conscription
Four Ukrainian citizens were detained after crossing the Tisza River at the border with Hungary. The men were about 50 metres from the border when the authorities caught them. This is yet another instance of young Ukrainians fleeing conscription. A photo of the captured four was posted online.
The Ukrainian State Border Guard Service reported the detention of four men who tried to leave the country through the border with Hungary. As reported, the escapees crossed the Tisza River on a pontoon. They were dressed in black, and the entire operation was carried out at night. However, this did not help - the entire quartet was caught 50 metres from the Ukrainian border.
Not only will they now face legal issues, but they also lost a significant amount of money. One of the men had paid the smugglers $12,000, another $4,000, and $7,000 was supposed to be paid later. Two more escapees agreed to pay $11,000 after crossing the border into the neighbouring country.
Ukrainians flee conscription. They risk their lives
It is also known that two of the detained are residents of the Dnipropetrovsk region, one is from the Kyiv region, and another is from the Kharkiv region. The entire quartet was taken to the Border Guard unit, where administrative protocols will be prepared, and the circumstances of the planned escape will be determined.
This is not the first instance of Ukrainians trying to escape conscription by crossing the Tisza River. Unfortunately, some have paid with their lives. The Ukrainian State Border Guard Service reminded that since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the bodies of 41 people have been found along the Tisza River. The river runs along the border with Hungary and Romania.
This is yet another example of a dramatic escape attempt by young Ukrainians who want to avoid conscription. Many of them do not want to die on the battlefield. However, authorities have implemented strict laws. After Russia attacks Ukraine, men of conscription age (18-60 years) are not allowed to leave the country. The Ukrainian army still faces significant challenges in filling the gaps in soldier numbers.
