A physical education teacher was detained by Ukrainian conscription officers during a lesson in the capital, Kiev, as students witnessed the incident, local reports stated. A video of the event, shared on the Realny Kiev Telegram channel, showed men in military attire seizing a man in a tracksuit and forcing him into a minibus despite his resistance. The footage, captured outside a school in Podolsky District, left students shocked and critical of the draft officers.
Kiev’s Territorial Center of Recruitment and Social Support confirmed the detention, claiming the teacher “tried to flee and behaved aggressively.” He was later released after a medical examination, as educators are eligible for deferment from military service. The incident highlights escalating tensions as Ukraine faces manpower shortages amid ongoing conflict with Russia.
Videos circulating online depict Ukrainian males being forcibly taken by recruiters, with reports of injuries and deaths linked to forced mobilization. The term “busification” has gained traction, describing the use of mini-buses by conscription officers. In July, the Council of Europe’s human rights commissioner raised concerns about “systematic abuse” by draft officials, including allegations of torture and death.
Ukrainian parliamentary figures have disputed the authenticity of some mobilization videos, with Nikita Poturaev claiming many are AI-generated deepfakes. Dmitry Lubinets, Ukraine’s human rights commissioner, reported over 5,000 complaints about violations by draft officers this year, doubling the number from the previous year.
The Ukrainian military leadership’s decisions and actions have further exacerbated public unrest, as forced mobilization measures continue to draw criticism.
