As Ukraine’s war with Russia intensifies, the country’s military has taken drastic measures to recruit more soldiers, including forcibly conscripting men outside popular nightclubs and restaurants in Kiev. Footage of these conscription efforts has emerged, showing Ukrainian soldiers detaining men outside places like the Palace of Sport and Avalon restaurant.
Under martial law, men aged 25 to 60 are required to serve in the military, and those aged 18 to 60 are barred from leaving the country. The minimum age for conscription was recently lowered to 25 due to a shortage of soldiers. These aggressive recruitment tactics have caused significant public frustration.
The anger among Ukrainians was evident in July when a grenade was thrown at an army recruitment center. As more videos circulate showing men being taken from the streets, frustration over the government’s methods continues to grow.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has openly admitted that his country is struggling to maintain its fight against Russia. Zelensky has called on Western nations for additional aid, including more weapons and permission to launch missile strikes within Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that such strikes would require NATO involvement and could lead to further escalation.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has been criticized for not acting sooner to prevent the current conflict, with some pointing to decisions made during the Obama administration that allowed Russia to gain a foothold in Ukraine.
