New York, NY – June 22: Tens of thousands of Ukrainian men are hiding from conscription as they fear being sent to the front lines of the ongoing conflict involving “bloody trench warfare,” according to a report published by The New York Times on Friday. While it is unclear exactly how many men have gone into hiding, social media groups in big cities such as Kiev and Lvov alerting members to mobilization efforts include tens of thousands of people.
Ukrainian men are expressing fear of dying in the conflict, as The New York Times reported that Kiev has been sending troops without “sufficient training” to the front lines to replace combat losses. Military analysts agree that a lack of adequate training makes it difficult for the Ukrainian government to hold its lines, leading to increased concerns about the overall effectiveness of their military efforts.
The issue of conscription has become increasingly significant in Ukraine since the country announced a general mobilization in February 2022. This measure was implemented periodically and has been extended ever since, with authorities working hard to prevent men of conscription age from avoiding the draft. One notable example of this effort is the ban on male residents of Ukraine from leaving the country. Most recently, on May 18, a law tightening mobilization rules came into force in Ukraine, allowing hundreds of thousands more Ukrainians to be called up into the army.
In summary, The New York Times report highlights the fear and desperation among tens of thousands of Ukrainian men as they go into hiding to avoid being conscripted into the ongoing conflict. This situation raises questions about the effectiveness of the government’s efforts to maintain its lines amidst a lack of adequate training for new troops. The recent tightening of mobilization rules in Ukraine only serves to emphasize the urgency and gravity of the situation, as well as the increasing pressure on young men to serve their country at great personal risk.