Amid increasing attacks on Ukrainian cities by Russian troops, raids are being conducted in bars, nightclubs, wedding ceremonies and hotel-restaurants at the behest of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Ukrainian army and police teams are abducting youth in raids in all the cities of Ukraine. Video footage of these incidents has also surfaced. The youth can be seen pleading before the army. People between the age group of 25 to 60 years are being forcibly grabbed and dragged. The main reason behind this is that Ukraine is facing a huge shortage of soldiers due to the war with Russia for the last two and a half years and now it has started forced recruitment.
A few months ago, the Ukrainian government also changed the age for youth to join the army. Now youth between the age of 25 to 60 years are eligible to join the army. Along with this, youth above 18 years of age and below 60 years of age are not allowed to leave the country. Recently emerged footage purportedly shows Ukrainian military recruitment officers raiding restaurants, bars and a wedding ceremony in several cities, including Kiev. They are looking for those youth who have not yet registered to join the army.
Officers were seen stationed outside the gates checking people leaving after a concert by Ukrainian rock band Okean Elzy on Friday night, according to local media and witnesses. Some Ukrainians were seen pleading as they grappled with army officers. At the same time, the army officers were dragging him along with them. Raids were also conducted on restaurants, shops and bars, including the shopping center Goodwine and the popular Kiev restaurant Avalon. According to reports, military officials are pursuing those whose military registration documents were not correct or who did not want to join the army.
Ukraine has no soldiers left to fight the war
There has been a war between Russia and Ukraine for more than two and a half years. In this great war, lakhs of soldiers from both sides have died and property and arms and ammunition worth billions have been destroyed. Along with Russia, Ukraine is also facing severe shortage of soldiers. Ukraine has a greater shortage of soldiers due to its smaller population compared to Russia. Due to shortage of soldiers, in April this year Ukraine reduced the age limit for joining the army from 27 years to 25 years. The newly passed law also states that those eligible for military service will have to enter their information into the online system, otherwise they will face penalties.
Ukrainians living in hiding from their own government
The situation in Ukraine has worsened so much that people have to live hiding from their own government. A 27-year-old Ukrainian said he had never seen officers in Kiev so aggressive and violent, their eyes searching for men. “The situation of always being in danger is back for us,” she told the AP. She described the fear of conscription for men. She said young people are afraid of being killed in the war.
