‘They grab everyone indiscriminately’ — Ukrainian soldiers complained about forced mobilization and insufficient training before being sent to the front

In Ukraine, men are being captured on the streets and forcibly sent to the front lines after minimal preparation.

This information reported according to Ukrainian soldiers who spoke to the publication LCI.

The soldiers believe this approach is wrong and that people should be motivated differently.

Ihor is still a newcomer. After a month in a training center, he recently joined the 59th Brigade. Ihor used to run a hardware store in eastern Ukraine. He was unexpectedly mobilized when he received his draft notice while leaving a barber shop on Easter.

“I was a bit shocked because it was a holiday. Previously, fear held me back. There were many rumors, like, ‘They’ll send you straight to the front as cannon fodder, without preparation. Grab a rifle and go,'” Ihor said.

Since then, he has come to terms with his fate and is training as much as he can. He is preparing to head to the front line for the second time in his life. Command reports indicate a dire situation at the front.

In his unit, no one judges each other: everyone admits they were scared during their first mission.

It is time to head out. Ihor and his comrades put on their vests. They will spend three days near Krasnohorivka. On the way, they see fields engulfed in flames.

Each unit takes its position. In this shelter, the soldiers will take turns standing guard in pairs every four hours. The most experienced start watch and it is time for Ihor to get used to it.

A few kilometers away, in the command center, Yuriy monitors the flight of a dozen drones. Every night he records all the strikes and movements—he has just spotted three Russian soldiers.

He too was stopped by military police on the street and sent to the front after a few days. But he feels he got off lightly.

“There were those who were forcibly taken and not even given the chance to gather their belongings. I knew this could happen to me at any time. Such methods are controversial,” Yuriy said.

“Grabbing everyone randomly, as they do now, is wrong. People need to be motivated differently,” Ihor stated.

The authorities claim they have no choice due to the lack of volunteers.