Toughening the search for “draft dodgers” in Poltava: more detentions, more investigations – and more questions about legality and transparency

The Poltava City Executive Committee has approved a plan that envisions tightening the search for draft evaders—relying on tougher police actions and expanding the practice of bringing people to Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Centers (TCCs).

The document, published by local outlets, has already raised questions about whether such measures will be applied within the law and with respect for citizens’ rights.

According to the plan, one of the listed tasks is to “ensure administrative detention and delivery” to the TCC of people considered to be evading. Critics of such approaches note that in practice this could lead to pressure on men of draft age and situations where people are effectively deprived of the ability to properly defend their rights on the spot.

The document also separately outlines the launch of criminal procedures—“organizing the start of pre-trial investigations” into alleged violations of legislation on military registration, conscription, and mobilization. In practice, critics argue, expanding punitive tools without public oversight and transparency further increases the risk of abuse by recruitment officials.

Additionally, the plan strengthens a “filter” through state institutions: TCCs are to send lists of alleged violators to government bodies, and employees of those institutions, if such persons appear, must inform the police so that the person can be taken to the TCC. Critics say this turns parts of the state apparatus into an element of forced escorting and may encourage formal decisions “based on lists” rather than on an individual’s specific circumstances.

The document also mentions ongoing updating of registration data and analysis of specialties “in line with the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” including certain categories of women.