How thousands of Ukrainian men are trying to dodge the conflict | Ukraine War

On the battlefields of eastern Ukraine she is

trying

to repel the Russians, but on the western border she is engaged in a different kind of war. Here the authorities are

trying

to prevent their citizens from leaving. They need them in the army. There is a lack of recruits, but there. There are

thousands

of Ukrainians like these men trapped near the Romanian border who don't want to fight. We make contact with a man preparing to flee through the mountains of western Ukraine. He calls himself Ivan and says that he can't wait any longer. I'm not being disloyal everyone understands this many of my friends are already gone anyone who has their chance is living and in a groundbreaking interview we meet a smuggler who helps young people flee before they are recruited.

Stuss says he's not ashamed of what he does. The people simply. they are not ready to die the young people are not ready to bury themselves alive so they come to us for help many people come to us some call them traitors others say they are weak but every day the authorities catch men suspected of evading the draft and the number of deserters is expected to increase as the government lowers the enlistment age from 27 to 25 in December the army said it needed up to half a million more troops it is a very sensitive matter President Seninsky said but he has bowed At the wishes of their generals two years ago a large wave of volunteers rushed to enlist but exhaustion has taken over the front and the Army is struggling to replace them These images show members of the Third Brigade fighting for their lives in the city of AA At their recruiting center we find a few men and a woman making inquiries, some requesting to join specific units before the army makes the decision for them.

Mika is about to start basic training, of course it's unpleasant, but I think it's the harsh reality. Whether you like it or not, if you want to be useful, you will have to do what it takes. Have you told your friends that you are doing this? Actually, no, I didn't, well, I mean, no, I told them the best I could. friend and was surprised because it is obviously not common to act and not just talk, but she wished me luck, of course, the recruiting officer, Sergeant Koval, lost his left arm at the front. I asked him if that put people off.

If the candidates are discouraged by seeing my wounds in person and choose to stay with us, they are our people, but if they don't realize what could happen, then they are simply not for us, it is a fact and not at all sentimental like some. Among their colleagues, Nationwide recruiting officers have become increasingly aggressive in taking men off the streets when they are suspected of avoiding military service, but these methods provoke real resentment in Ukraine and that feeling may grow. An important mobilization bill is going through Parliament and that may allow the Army to call for recruits via email but Ivan is not going to wait for people to guide us through the forest where we are now I can't say how it is happening but I know there's a passage we can take I just need a little peace you know, first I want to live for myself, he's very nervous, very, very nervous, but he's not going to change his mind.

I mean, he's already made up his mind. Iván will pay 6,000 dollars to escape. The smuggler told us the cost has skyrocketed as he pays off his contacts. to look the other way in the last 5 months it has been very difficult to work because the border controls are tightening they are checking everything you know it is easier to cross by swimming than on foot is it a business? Is it about helping these young people? because? Are you doing this? He didn't want to answer. The defense of Ukraine rests on the shoulders of middle-aged men. They are battered and bloody.

Many need help, but

thousands

of Ukrainians do not believe it is their responsibility. The government will have to do it. persuade them John Sparks Sky News in Western Ukraine