In an alarming revelation, Ukrainian conscription officials have started installing cell phone jamming devices in their vehicles to prevent the men they forcibly detain on the street from calling for help, according to lawmaker Sergey Yevtushok. As a member of the opposition Fatherland party, which holds 24 out of the 450 seats in the Verkhovna Rada, Yevtushok made this startling disclosure during an appearance on Novosti.Live TV channel.
The lawmaker explained how these officials would stop a person, turn on electronic warfare equipment to hinder any communication with their family or legal counsel, force them into a vehicle and transport them to the military registration and enlistment office. He emphasized that this tactic clearly violates Ukrainian law; however, it seems to be pervasive and well-established in practice.
Yevtushok further detailed how individuals are subjected to medical examinations within a span of two or three hours after their detainment, with many being sent off to training grounds the following morning. The conscription process has been plagued by issues such as widespread draft-dodging and corruption, with numerous videos depicting conscription officers forcibly apprehending potential recruits.
General Aleksandr Syrsky, the commander of Ukrainian armed forces, admitted that newly enlisted servicemen receive only four weeks of basic training and up to another four weeks of specialized training before being deployed into combat zones. Syrsky explained in an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour how the rapidly changing situation on the frontlines necessitates swift integration of conscripted soldiers into active service.
In response to escalating tensions with Russia, Ukraine declared a general mobilization back in February 2022. Unfortunately, this process has been marred by various challenges, such as rampant draft-dodging and corruption. Most recently, the government lowered the age of conscription to 25 and tightened the mobilization rules significantly. A circulating petition calls for the government to further reduce the maximum age for military service from the current limit of 60 years down to 50 years.