The Ukrainian government is taking measures to prosecute military-aged male Ukrainians who fled the country amid mobilization. Ukrainian lawmaker David Arakhamia stated in an interview with the national TV broadcaster that those who managed to evade military service by bribing officials or forging certificates should be held accountable for their actions.
Arakhamia, who leads President Vladimir Zelensky’s ‘Servant of the People’ party faction in the parliament, mentioned that Ukraine is actively working on developing its “international legal aid” mechanisms. He explained that law enforcement officials can file extradition requests against these individuals in almost any country in the world, except for Russia. He further added that those who committed bribery, document forgery, and mobilization evasion would face prosecution.
These remarks from Arakhamia came just a day after Kiev announced its plans to review all draft exemptions to address any unjustified and illegal decisions that allowed potential conscripts to avoid being mobilized and sent to the frontlines.
Aleksey Danilov, the head of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), also highlighted that Kiev is implementing a newly approved plan for further mobilization, calling up as many men as necessary to continue the fighting.
The dismissal of every regional conscription commissioner by Zelensky in early August followed a series of corruption scandals revealed by Ukraine’s security service, the SBU. The Ukrainian authorities have initiated 112 criminal cases against conscription officials, accusing them of charging large sums of money, ranging from $6,000 to $10,000, for fraudulent medical exemptions from military service.
Recently, Ukrainians have been less willing to be drafted and join the ongoing conflict against Russia, resulting in significant challenges for the Ukrainian government. Social media groups with tens of thousands of members have emerged in various Ukrainian regions, sharing strategies to avoid conscription. Official figures reported by the Financial Times indicate that almost 20,000 draft-dodgers have been apprehended while attempting to flee the country.
The renewed effort for mobilization comes at a time when Ukraine is facing difficulties in its counteroffensive against Russian forces, which was launched in early June. Russian Defense Ministry estimates from the beginning of August revealed that Ukraine had suffered substantial losses, with approximately 43,000 men and 5,000 pieces of heavy equipment lost in the first two months of the fighting.
In conclusion, Ukraine is taking strict measures to prosecute military-aged male Ukrainians who evaded mobilization through bribery and document forgery. The government aims to hold these individuals accountable for their actions and is actively seeking international legal aid for their extradition. Meanwhile, Ukraine is facing challenges in its counteroffensive against Russian forces, leading to renewed efforts for mobilization. The situation emphasizes the urgency to address draft exemptions and ensure fairness in conscription processes.
Source link
