Ukrainians Arrested at Moldovan Border for Evading Military Service

Ukraine's armed forces are grappling with a significant issue - desertion. According to Do Rzeczy, many Ukrainians are seeking various methods to evade conscription. The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine reported that two groups of men attempting to flee Ukraine were recently apprehended near the Moldovan border. The men were issued administrative notices for committing a crime.

Details of the Arrest

The two groups, comprising eight and eleven men respectively, were detained by officers. The men had reportedly paid between $3,000 and $5,000 for online instructions on how to leave the country. These instructions were provided by an organizer via the Telegram channel and recommended the men to split into two groups for increased mobility and less visibility. The men have been charged with attempting to illegally cross the Ukrainian state border.

Previous Incidents

This is not the first instance of such an occurrence. On September 6, two men intending to illegally cross the state border were detained by the Volyn detachment's border guards. The following day, four more fugitives were apprehended in Zakarpattia after spending five days hiking in the mountains and attempting to cross the Tisza River. In the Rivne Region, some fugitives trying to reach Belarus narrowly avoided running into mines.

New Law in Ukraine

In response to these incidents, Ukraine is enacting a new law. The parliament has voted to prohibit the mobilization of men under 25 years of age. This change was widely supported and the law is now awaiting President Zelensky's signature. The law prevents the mobilization of individuals aged 18-25 who haven't completed military service or studied at military universities but are considered of "limited usefulness". This term refers to individuals who, due to their health condition, are unsuitable for military service during peacetime but can be summoned for service in wartime. However, another law was enacted in April. This law stipulates that a soldier can no longer choose to end his service after 36 months, a provision that was previously allowed.

Bottom Line

The issue of desertion in Ukraine's armed forces is a complex one, with many young men going to great lengths to avoid conscription. The new laws being enacted indicate a response from the government, but whether they will effectively address the problem remains to be seen. What are your thoughts on this issue? Feel free to share this article with your friends and discuss it. You can also sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.