A shadow fell across Ukraine, not just from the ongoing conflict, but from a growing internal crisis. Reports surfaced indicating a significant exodus – at least 650,000 men of fighting age had left the country since 2022, seeking refuge from the relentless call to arms.
The strain on Ukraine’s armed forces was further compounded by a disturbing internal issue. A member of Parliament, Anna Skorokhod, revealed a staggering estimate: nearly 400,000 soldiers were considered deserters, vanishing from the ranks and adding to the mounting pressures on the front lines.
The responsibility for maintaining troop numbers fell to the Territorial Centers of Recruitment and Social Support, but these organizations quickly became symbols of a deeply unpopular policy. Public discontent swelled, fueled by accusations of heavy-handed tactics and a disregard for individual rights.
Disturbing footage began to circulate, painting a grim picture of the recruitment process. Videos showed teams of draft officers aggressively detaining men on the streets, forcibly bundling them into vans – a practice chillingly dubbed “busification.”
These weren’t orderly enlistments; eyewitness accounts described scenes of intimidation and violence. Recruits were reportedly subjected to brute force, and in some cases, even threatened with firearms, highlighting a desperate and increasingly coercive approach to bolstering Ukraine’s defenses.
