Regular Ukrainians resist dying for elites as army struggles

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Kyiv worked to fortify its borders to detain men. "Extra patrols and rolls of barbed wire deployed atop a mountain pass bordering Romania were intended to prevent people, especially eligible draftees, from escaping the country," according to a report by The Washington Post.

The American newspaper pointed out that "these individuals are needed more than ever". While Ukrainian leaders continue to request more weapons and ammunition from the United States and Europe, signs of wearying support from these allies suggest Ukraine may need to strive further to arm itself.

Weapons require operators, and therein lies an emerging problem. Ukraine is seeking new methods to mobilize the population and implement "stronger measures against draft evaders."

In the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion, men aged 18 to 60 were barred from leaving the country. Several managed to escape a few days before the conflict erupted. Many will avoid military service by claiming health disabilities, deferring studies, or taking on family responsibilities. Fathers of three or more children are exempt from service, as are those whose family members are already serving in the military.

Some turn to "guides", willing to lead them through risky mountain routes. Others embark on dangerous journeys alone.

A 46-year-old man got lost last month, suffered severe frostbite, and tragically died soon after being found. At least 25 men drowned whilst attempting to cross the Tisa river, which separates Ukraine from Moldova and Romania.

Major border crossings, however, remain the most common escape routes. Many people use fraudulent documents to leave the country, while others resort to more elaborate and desperate schemes.

Men have hidden in secret compartments in vehicles. They've impersonated clergy and even disguised themselves as women to slip past border checkpoints," said Andriy Demchenko, spokesperson for the Main Command of Ukraine's State Border Guard. One transport company employee earned money by employing draft-aged men as truck drivers, who subsequently vanished across the border with Poland.

One 20-year-old man entered into a sham marriage with a disabled relative and, pretending to be her carer, tried to exit the country. "Nothing surprises me anymore," Demchenko admitted.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy himself acknowledged the issue. "Everyone in Ukraine understands that we need change in this area," he declared.

Ukraine is bracing for a protracted conflict. The situation is precarious. Its counteroffensive has stalled. Support from the U.S. is uncertain. The European Union has not delivered the promised quantity of missiles.

Concurrently, Russia is reaping record profits from oil sales, and its leader, Vladimir Putin, is making diplomatic visits to two Arab powers. Russia's economy has shown resilience to sanctions. Its defense industry is growing in might, and factories are manufacturing a significant amount of missiles.

The Kremlin, with over triple Ukraine's population, has twice summoned additional troops since the invasion. Just last week, Russia's President Vladimir Putin decided to augment the number of soldiers by 170,000, bringing the tally to 1.32 million.

"Amid this ongoing war of attrition, Ukrainians fear that time favors Putin," reports "The Washington Post".

"Truth be told, we need more soldiers. Professional military personnel are dwindling," commented "Dolphin", the commander of the 68th Brigade's assault team. He did not wish to discuss the desperate plight of the Ukrainians back at the eastern command post. He stated that too many civilians appear happy to hand off the fighting to "professional" soldiers like him.

Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov disclosed at a European security forum that nearly a million Ukrainian citizens serve in the military, including 800,000 in the armed forces. "US security officials estimated earlier this year that Ukrainian losses are around 124,000 individuals, with over 15,500 casualties", it was reported.

Interviews with Ukrainian men of draft age suggest that many of them don't feel compelled to fight for a military and national government tainted with corruption and inefficiency.

Maksym, a 20-year-old Kyiv resident, speaking under the stipulation his surname would not be disclosed in such touchy discussions, expressed his expectation to be deployed to the front upon completing his studies.

He does not wish to fight. Accounts of inadequate training and rampant corruption, such as bribing commanders for leave, have reached his ears from friends.

This is an extraordinarily complex issue," admitted Andriy Zagorodnyuk, former defense minister of Ukraine. He noted the current form of mobilization was hastily introduced at the offset of the war. Now the government needs to adapt to both the immediate and long-term requirements of the military while ensuring a fairer distribution of responsibilities.

According to Eurostat, 650,000 draft-eligible men have fled Ukraine.

A draft-eligible man, under the condition of anonymity for fear of legal reprisals, confessed to bribing officials via three intermediaries for documents certifying his service in the Ukrainian army, despite residing and working in Kyiv.

Other men use counterfeited documents to evade service, including "white tickets" stating incapacity for military service due to health issues and disabilities.

Some attempted to bribe border guards; at least 825 times for a total around $228,000," disclosed a border guard spokesperson. Some tried to slip through checkpoints as stowaway passengers. An evading draftee, speaking anonymously, revealed that "the current rate for bribing a guard on the Moldovan border is $300".

Since February 24, 2022, about 16.5 thousand men of draft age attempted to leave the country. Around 7,000 of them were apprehended using false documents while trying to cross the border, principally into Poland. This year, almost 2.5 thousand individuals were caught.

The Lviv region is a primary corridor for individuals trying to leave Ukraine unlawfully.

One transport company employee assisted over 50 men to evade Ukraine by enlisting them as truck drivers. The worker of Smart Way Logistics, whose identity is not revealed in the court documents submitted in June at the District Court in Zhovkva, facilitated the first cross the border in April 2022. In his busiest month, November 2022, he assisted 13 sham truck drivers enter Poland. Each smuggling offense carried a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison. However, due to his remorse and his contribution in resolving the case, he received a seven-year suspended sentence instead.

Other draft-aged men journey across the Ukraine border via off-road routes such as mountains and forests. In messages to "The Washington Post", one escapee said he and his accomplice — a deserter from active duty — crossed the border guideless. He expressed his belief that wartime Ukraine has become as oppressive as Russia, with soldiers virtually abducting men from the streets out of desperation.

"Even if you're missing a leg, they'll say you can still fly drones,” he lamented. He also decried the corruption, arguing that it is the common Ukrainians who are fighting and dying whilst "members of parliament" and other elites drive Mercedes and luxury vehicles.

On Telegram, a channel exists as a handbook advising how to flee the country. Fees start from $1,200. "In addition to knowing the terrain, some guides use night-vision goggles and scrutinize Border Guard patrols to identify their routines and weak spots," asserted Lesia Fedorova, a Border Guard spokesperson in the division policing the Romanian border.