Code words and substitution for women: instructions for sports club employees in case of military draft raids have appeared in Telegram channels

Ukrainian Telegram channels have published a comprehensive guide allegedly containing instructions on how to act within a sports club if military conscription officers arrive.

The instructions include coded words signaling the arrival of these officers. Once signaled, all male employees of conscription age are instructed to hide, while their positions should be taken by female colleagues.

Furthermore, the guide advises engaging in dialogue with conscription officers through the club manager (if exempt from mobilization due to age) or female managers. It also recommends using coded words to alert employees about the path of movement of conscription officers within the club premises.

“All male staff who received this notification must be ready to leave their workplace and hide in a designated safe area within the club. In the ‘Dream’ club, this is the staircase near the elevator cabin leading to the lower floors, behind the staff kitchen. However, staying in the kitchen is not advised,” reads one of the instructions.

The specific club issuing these guidelines hasn’t been disclosed.

In the past week, conscription officers have conducted raids in various cities across Ukraine targeting sports clubs. Photos were circulated depicting the appearance of territorial conscription center staff at “Sportlife” within the “Spartak” shopping center in Lviv. A similar raid occurred in Dnipro, where witnesses reported conscription officers visiting all nearby gyms.

Moreover, in Uzhhorod’s fitness centers, territorial conscription center employees issued summons to both exercising men and trainers. In Odessa, following conscription officer raids, men began offering their gym memberships for free.