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Ukrainians against Ukrainians – this scenario could soon become a reality. Because, apparently, Russia has started mobilizing not only Russians, but also Ukrainians in the annexed regions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (70) has passed a law allowing the armed forces there to conscript undocumented men between the ages of 18 and 60 – as “volunteers”.
The male citizens of the four Ukrainian oblasts of Kherson, Zaporizhia, Luhansk and Donetsk are trembling. “The locals are scared because they know the word ‘voluntary’ doesn’t exist there,” Ukrainian human rights activist Pavlo Lisiyansky told Russian newspaper Nastoyaschee Vremya.
“Soft mobilization” is now possible
Advisor to the mayor of Mariupol, Petro Andruschenko (47), is also concerned. “The Russians have found a formula to gently mobilize men,” he writes on Telegram. The new law allows Putin to allow Ukrainians to fight against their compatriots.
Men over the age of 17 are prohibited from leaving Russian-controlled areas. In addition, institutions such as universities, vocational schools and technical schools are required to draw up lists of men suitable for military service and submit them to the authorities.
Ukrainians are forced to sign documents
According to Lisiyansky, men of every nationality are pressured to sign papers and join the army. The volunteer fighters enjoy no financial benefits or guarantees.
Their function: they must serve as cannon fodder. “These are forcibly mobilized men who are sent to the minefields and storming positions so that as few Russian occupation troops as possible die,” Lisiyansky clarifies. “Run away,” Andruschenko urges able-bodied men in Mariupol. Because: “The only way out of the city leads to the front.”
No order on annexed land
The problem: pure chaos reigns in the four annexed regions. “Many things don’t work there according to the laws of the Kremlin’s dictatorial regime,” Lisiyansky explains. Although Russian propaganda likes to paint a different picture. Putin recently visited Mariupol in Donetsk Oblast and posed with grateful residents. But the reality looks different.
Fighting breaks out constantly in Kherson and Zaporizhia. The units are unable to repel the Ukrainian attacks – they are vastly undermanned. Many soldiers are needed in the hotspots at the front – this makes the regions vulnerable.
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
