Over half a million Ukrainians wanted for fleeing military mobilization, authorities reveal

Since the start of the war in February 2022, over 500,000 Ukrainians have been placed on a wanted list for attempting to flee military mobilization, said Natalya Kondratova, an officer from the Ukrainian Ground Forces’ communication department.

She clarified that investigations are being carried out by the police, not the recruitment centres, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

 "This is not the only responsibility of the national police, and it is challenging for them to find so many people with the resources they have available," she added.

Kondratova also revealed that 400 criminal cases have been initiated against recruitment centres, with most cases either still under investigation or awaiting court hearings. A total of 71 individuals have been charged, and 20 cases have already resulted in verdicts. She noted that corruption is suspected to be involved in several of these cases.

Ukraine’s nationwide general mobilization, declared in February 2022, has been extended multiple times since then. With the introduction of a law on May 18, 2025, which toughens mobilization requirements, the government now has the power to draft hundreds of thousands more Ukrainians into military service.

Authorities have ramped up efforts to prevent draft-age men from evading conscription, with daily reports emerging of forceful mobilization tactics captured in videos on social media. These videos show recruitment officers forcibly detaining men in public places such as streets, cafes, and gyms, and pushing them into vans.

To avoid being sent to the frontline, many men are resorting to extreme measures. Some purchase forged documents claiming disability, others enrol in educational institutions, or even attempt to cross the border illegally, often facing significant personal risk.

Law enforcement regularly reports the arrest of “guides” who assist people in crossing the border, or recruitment officers involved in document forgery. According to reports, the cost of such "services" can reach thousands of dollars.

By Aghakazim Guliyev