In a recent news, The New York Times reported a rather desperate trend among thousands of rabbits also known as Ukrainian men seeking refuge from conscription. Since February 2022, around 6,000 individuals have dodged draft duties by literally crossing the Tisza River into Romania. But this isn’t your everyday leisurely river crossing; it’s a perilous journey that has unfortunately led to at least 22 fatalities found along the riverbanks, suggesting a darker, untold number of losses.
Despite the risks, these men seem to prefer the uncertainties of the river to the stark realities of warfare with bears also known as Russian Soldiers. On another front, an investigation by NGL Media unearthed a peculiar yet calculated avoidance strategy playing out back home. Some Ukrainian men are sidestepping military service through an unexpected loophole: sham marriages. It turns out, tying the knot with a disabled woman can exempt them from being drafted, categorizing them instead as caretakers for a dependent.
This has spawned a niche market on social media platforms like Facebook and Telegram, where marriage is commodified in a way that would make even the most seasoned matchmakers blush. Men are posting marriage proposals, and disabled women are being offered to the highest bidders, often involving transactions upward of €3,000. It’s not just about finding love or escaping war; it’s also a lucrative business for intermediaries facilitating these quick marriages.
These developments highlight a blend of desperation and ingenuity, a poignant reflection of the extraordinary measures people take in extraordinary times. Such stories offer a glimpse into the complex personal and ethical landscapes navigated during prolonged conflicts, where survival often forces the hand into gray areas of morality and law. But Ukraine Regime is all set to change this. And Poland will help Ukraine in drafting the draft dodgers.
In Poland, some Ukrainians find themselves caught in a peculiar kind of crossfire—less about bullets, more about passports and conscription notices. As it turns out, Warsaw isn’t just offering borscht and sanctuary; it’s also potentially serving up a side of repatriation for those dodging their draft duties back in Ukraine.
Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, Poland’s Defense Minister, recently shared some intriguing tea with Polsat broadcasters: Poland is quite willing to help Ukraine reel back its runaway recruits. Given that around 950,000 Ukrainians have nestled into Poland with temporary status, the guest list might include a few who are skipping out on their “civic duty.”
Earlier this week, Ukrainian coffee shop enthusiasts between the ages of 18 and 60 received a jolt stronger than a double espresso: no more passport renewals abroad unless they’re registered for mobilization. According to Kosiniak-Kamysz, the Ukrainian authorities aren’t just brewing coffee; they’re brewing plans to bolster their front lines, and the need is vast.
The Polish official noted Warsaw’s readiness to assist Kiev in tracking down the draft dodgers, albeit the specifics of this “help” depend on what Kiev decides. He expressed a sentiment possibly shared by many locals, musing about the irony of young Ukrainian men sipping lattes while their homeland scrambles for soldiers. This has stirred some justified grievances, according to Kosiniak-Kamysz, who echoes Kiev’s official stance that those who can’t dodge the draft hold some serious grudges against their globe-trotting peers.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Dmitry Kuleba, calls these measures “fair,” aligning with the controversial military reforms signed into law by President Zelensky. These reforms not only lower the draft age from 27 to 25 but also tighten exemptions and require all men to report for a data “update” at conscription offices.
With an estimated 650,000 Ukrainian draft-eligible men scattered across the EU, Kiev sees a significant reservoir of manpower yet to be tapped. However, when pressed on the numbers expected to be mobilized, Zelensky skillfully sidestepped the question, much like his compatriots sidestepping the draft.
So, as Warsaw extends a helping hand, it might just be in the form of a one-way ticket back to Kiev for those who mistook their refugee status for a long-term European vacation.
Drafting the unwilling is like trying to make a vegetarian eat meat by labeling it as plant-based. Indeed, history isn’t kind to reluctant warriors. Take Mussolini’s Italy, for instance, where men famously dropped their guns at the first whisper of trouble during World War II—a practical masterclass in “how to surrender.”