“Need a minivan 8+1”: in Odesa, recruitment center staff are ordering taxis for street mobilization efforts

In Odesa, taxi drivers receive orders from territorial recruitment centers to transport conscripts.

Local Telegram channels report that taxi drivers in Odesa have received orders from territorial recruitment centers to deliver individuals subject to mobilization. Screenshots of one such order have been published.

According to the screenshot of the taxi app, military recruiters promise not to draft the driver, pay 1,000 hryvnias, and provide an additional fuel voucher as a bonus.

“More than four passengers. Transporting draft evaders to the territorial recruitment center. A minibus with a capacity of 8+1 is required. Drop off at Zankovetskoi Street. We won’t touch the driver. In addition to payment, you’ll get a fuel/diesel voucher for 59 liters,” the comment accompanying the taxi order reads.

Previously, in another Ukrainian city, staff from a territorial recruitment center apprehended a taxi passenger immediately after he exited the vehicle. The incident was captured by a street surveillance camera. The video has led to speculation that taxi drivers may be tipping off recruiters about male passengers, possibly in exchange for an agreement not to conscript the drivers themselves.