‘Everyone’s afraid to die’: Struggle to recruit soldiers in Ukraine turns violent
Ninoda.com – In the heart of Ukraine’s ongoing conflict, serving soldier Vasyl Krupych has witnessed firsthand the escalating tensions surrounding conscription. His account of surviving brutal battles in the eastern Donbas region paints a picture of relentless combat, where survival often hinged on prayer and tears. Yet, last December, Krupych found himself targeted by his own countrymen while pursuing those evading the draft. Two men ignored his requests for identification, fleeing as he and his patrol chased them. A crowbar was used to deliver a severe beating, leaving Krupych hospitalized for six weeks. “He broke my rib, and I couldn’t breathe,” he recounted in a recent interview. “What did we fight for, if soldiers can now be beaten?”
Escalating Threats
The Ukraine military ombudswoman has described such incidents as “regular” and “a major problem,” highlighting the nation’s struggle to fill its ranks in the fifth year of Russia’s invasion. While the public may avoid discussing the issue to prevent Russian propaganda from gaining traction, the latest National Police Service report indicates over 600 attacks on recruitment officers. These assaults have grown “increasingly threatening,” with a particularly alarming event in April when several recruiters were stabbed, one fatally. This month, in Lviv, protesters surrounded officers attempting to detain a suspected dodger, smashing their vehicle and drawing national attention.
President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the violence against active-duty personnel, but his recent decision to dismiss Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has raised concerns. The move, stemming from a disagreement over strategy, may hinder efforts to resolve the conscription crisis. Despite this, the Lviv riot underscores the urgency of the situation. “The need is clear,” said a recent protest, as citizens grew frustrated with the war’s endless duration.
The Human Toll
Many resist enlistment due to fear of the front lines, where stories of injury and death have become common knowledge. A brief surge of enthusiasm followed Ukraine’s counter-offensive in late 2023, which reclaimed southern territories. However, this momentum faded, giving rise to a “brutal mobilisation” phase, according to opposition MP Oleksandr Honcharenko. “Recruiters are now hunting people on the streets, using aggressive tactics,” he noted. “Violence begets violence—it’s a growing crisis.”
Military analyst Ivan Stupak explained the rationale behind this approach. “The high command faced constant manpower losses, so they resorted to mass drafting,” he said. “When they need 5,000 more soldiers, they grab them—refusal can lead to street fights.” This method, termed “busification” by Ukrainians, involves swiftly transporting recruits to service, often without due process. The practice has sparked a wave of complaints, with the Human Rights Commissioner noting over 6,000 reports last year—double the number in 2024. These include claims of mistreatment and poor conditions at recruitment centers.
A Personal Story of Resistance
Kyrylo Ogdansky, a university professor exempt from conscription, remains shaken by an incident in Dnipro last November. A man in civilian clothes approached him, demanding to check his draft status. Ogdansky objected, citing the rules requiring police presence during such checks. But instead of compliance, he was dragged into a bus and beaten. “One of them knocked my phone from my hand, and two pushed me into the vehicle,” he described. “He hit me in the nose several times and threatened to send me to Pokrovsk.” Ogdansky spent two weeks in hospital with a suspected neck injury and bruises beneath his eyes, filing formal complaints against the recruiters.
“What did we fight for, if soldiers can now be beaten?”
