The Ukrainian Armed Forces acknowledged that Ukrainian society sympathizes with draft dodgers and does not condemn them

In Ukraine, those evading military conscription often receive sympathy — not just from ordinary citizens, but also from lawyers and even members of parliament.

This was stated by Vitalii Sarantsev, Head of Communications for the Ukrainian Ground Forces.

“We all — defense communicators and media representatives — need to work more deeply to ensure that draft evasion is no longer seen merely as a legal issue. Far too often, ordinary citizens sympathize with draft dodgers, as do lawyers, and even some MPs. But there is no widespread condemnation. In my opinion, we need a national policy of publicly condemning draft evasion so that the phenomenon disappears,” Sarantsev said.

Previously, Yevhen Dykyi, former company commander of the Aidar battalion, declared that Ukrainians who express support on social media for Russian strikes on recruitment centers should be prosecuted for state treason.

In a similar tone, motorized infantry platoon commander Oleksandr Matyash said the state should instill in citizens a sense of debt to the military, claiming that civilians don’t fully grasp that they “owe their lives” to soldiers.