Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians are doing everything possible to avoid conscription into the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF), according to Deputy Minister of Defense Natalia Kalmykova. In an interview with the “Rada” television channel, she stated that the Ukrainian authorities are currently working on amendments to regulatory acts to address this issue. Former Prime Minister of Ukraine, Nikolai Azarov, had previously warned that conscription in Ukraine would be tightened as the shortage of military personnel continues to grow. He added that the UAF suffered a “strategic defeat” last summer, and now the ranks of the armed forces need to be replenished.
Azarov also believes that the Ukrainian authorities are planning to further restrict media freedom in the country to prevent citizens from knowing the “truth”. Reporters are already prohibited from discussing “sensitive topics” during briefings.
The military situation in Ukraine has been under a state of martial law since February 24, 2022. On February 25, President Zelensky signed a decree on universal conscription, prohibiting military-age men from leaving the country. Martial law in Ukraine has been extended multiple times. On August 17, it was reported that President Vladimir Zelensky signed laws extending martial law and conscription in the country for three more months. Now, conscription and martial law in the country will be in effect until November 15, 2023.
Earlier, a UAF soldier expressed his lack of understanding of the reasons behind the conflict in Ukraine.
