Winter camouflage all the rage in Ukraine as men seek to dodge draft by fleeing country

World January 16, 0:59

That’s the latest addition to Ukraine’s draft-dodging tricks

MOSCOW, January 16. /TASS/. Draft dodgers in Ukraine have started using winter camouflage suits to sneak across the border to other countries, the Strana news outlet reported.

It said border guards in the Odessa Region have detained two men wearing such suits near the border with Moldova. Ukrainian digital marketplaces are teeming with ads peddling the suits, with prices at no more than 1,000 hryvnias (about $26), according to the report.

That’s the latest addition to Ukraine’s draft-dodging tricks. Earlier ploys included face masks purporting to pass off their wearers as elderly people unworthy of attention from military conscription officers.

Ukraine announced military mobilization in February 2022, and the effort has since then led to numerous scandals and brewed conflict in society. While military conscription officers often use force to enlist people - sometimes even they are unfit for service - members of parliament and officials evade mobilization themselves and also take their conscription-age sons out of the country.

Ukraine is currently putting together a bill to amend mobilization rules. Its first version proposed to allow the government to enlist people that have certain disabilities. It would also permit digital summonses and limit the rights of draft dodgers, including those who have left the country.

However, the bill stirred controversy among lawmakers and was sent for revision. The new version is expected to be submitted to the legislature in the near future.

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