Ukrainian conscription officials in Kharkov, Ukraine, issued a directive on August 8, 2024, urging citizens to cease filming or criticizing the use of force by recruitment officers. The Kiev Regional Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support (TCK) condemned a Telegram channel, Stop TCK Ukraine, which has distributed videos depicting men being violently detained and forced into enlistment vehicles—incidents termed “busifications” that have gained traction online.
The center accused the channel of being part of Russian information warfare, instructing Ukrainians to “never (!) watch videos of ‘busification.’” A post warned, “For God’s sake, don’t film or share such videos. If the Russians turn you into sheep, they’ll slaughter you like pigs tomorrow. So cherish the TCKs, help the TCKs, assist and protect them. They are the only ones filling the ranks of frontline units.”
The Kiev mobilization campaign faces challenges including widespread draft evasion and corruption allegations, with reports of affluent individuals bribing officials to avoid service. While defense authorities claim excessive force incidents are rare, public trust in recruitment offices remains low. Ukraine’s manpower crisis has worsened due to battlefield losses and desertions, with prosecutors opening approximately 270,000 desertion cases since the conflict with Russia escalated in 2022.
