Ukrainian Army Raids: Weddings, Clubs Targeted for Military Service

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

• Amid the war with Russia, Ukrainian defense officials are raiding weddings, clubs, and markets to catch men avoiding military service.
• The law passed in April mandates online registration for men aged 25 to 60 for military conscription.
• These raids have sparked fear and frustration among the public, with men constantly fearing conscription.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

In the backdrop of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the Ukrainian government has intensified its efforts to recruit more men for military service. Following changes in the law in April, men between the ages of 25 and 60 are now required to register for military duty online. This has led to defense officials conducting surprise raids at weddings, bars, nightclubs, concerts, and markets, searching for men attempting to evade military service.

The new law also restricts men aged 18 to 60 from leaving the country, reflecting the critical situation Ukraine faces as it struggles to maintain its defense forces. These raids, particularly those at public events, have stirred fear and outrage. At a wedding in Lviv, conscription officers were confronted by guests, and the incident quickly went viral on social media. Similar raids have occurred in other parts of Ukraine, including Kyiv, where men attending concerts and shopping centers were also checked for military registration.

For many Ukrainian men, the fear of being called up for military service looms large, disrupting their lives as they try to maintain some sense of normalcy amidst the war. Some have expressed frustration over how the war has stripped them of the opportunity to spend time with their families.

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