The mobilization tactics in Ukraine are becoming increasingly coercive – The Times

The mobilization tactics in Ukraine are becoming increasingly “dirty,” “deceptive, coercive, and violent,” as “war-weary Ukrainians are refusing” to participate.

This was reported by “The Times”.

The publication describes cases of mobilizing sick individuals and forcibly rounding up ordinary citizens, which sometimes escalate into physical confrontations. As a result, men are closely following social media channels about draft notices, avoiding areas where they might be detained, and paying bribes to evade conscription.

“This is a noticeable shift from the start of the conflict, when hundreds of thousands of people were volunteering to join the army,” the article comments.

Some men recount that they tried to volunteer at the beginning of the war but were turned away. Now, they are reluctant to fight, stating that “the government does not support the soldiers, they lack proper equipment, and if they are injured, they are forgotten.”

Military recruiters admit that forcible mobilization “damages the image” of recruitment centers, but they claim, “this is how we operate because we are ordered to show results and be efficient.”

“The Times” also notes that in cities, more men can pay their way out of conscription, so most recruits come from rural areas. Due to the shortage of new recruits, many soldiers have been fighting on the frontlines without a break since the start of the invasion.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian MP Roman Kostenko (from the “Holos” party) stated that certain American officials are urging Ukraine to lower the conscription age. According to Kostenko, U.S. congressmen have contacted him, saying: “We are giving you weapons, and you say you don’t have enough people. But how is it that you aren’t conscripting anyone under 25? How does that make sense?”

Kostenko admitted that he doesn’t have a clear answer to this question, and the issue is being discussed behind closed doors. Officially, it has not been raised in committee meetings. However, Kostenko hinted that he supports the idea of lowering the conscription age.

“Mobilization should start at 20 years old. We’ve raised a generation that doesn’t want to defend their country,” he said.

It’s worth noting that Kostenko regularly brings up the need to lower the conscription age, particularly suggesting that it will happen if Russia announces a new wave of mobilization.

Earlier, “The Times” reported that Ukraine aims to mobilize another 200,000 people by the end of the year, but prospects look grim.

An officer from Odesa told the publication that only 20% of the required number of conscripts are being recruited due to corruption, a shortage of personnel, and health problems among those mobilized.