For several weeks, the Russian army has been advancing on several points of the Ukrainian front and nibbling territory, increasing doubts about kyiv's ability to reverse the trend. “We are seeing an acceleration in this progression, with the feeling that we cannot stop it,” said ex-French colonel Michel Goya, war historian, interviewed by AFP. He describes a “Russian strategy of pressure everywhere, all the time, waiting for it to crack, crumble or collapse.”
To support Russian troops, thousands of North Korean soldiers have joined them on the front, according to the United States, NATO and South Korea. Enough to further undermine the morale of the Ukrainians.
As a result, kyiv suffers in recruiting, especially as the disorganization of its army and corruption facilitate desertions and refusals to enlist. And the announcement that the United States now allows Ukraine to use its long-range missiles against Russia is not enough.
A new mobilization of 160,000 men
“To defeat an enemy is to kill his hope. When the sacrifice of people who die is worth nothing, it no longer makes sense to fight,” notes Michel Goya.
“The Zelensky government, faced with war weariness among civilian populations, is struggling to mobilize,” confirms a French military official on condition of anonymity.
Since the Russian invasion began in February 2022, 1.050 million soldiers have already been enlisted. Ukraine declared martial law and general mobilization after the start of the Russian invasion and regularly extends them by 90 days
In April 2024, Zelensky lowered the age of mobilization from 27 to 25. And at the end of October, kyiv announced a new mobilization of 160,000 men to replenish the ranks of the army to 85%.
Now we are carrying out raids in shopping malls, restaurants
To succeed in replenishing its army, three years after the start of the Russian invasion, the government no longer hesitates to carry out real manhunts in the country to track down men who could join the front. In videos shared, including one shared this Monday by BFMTV, on social networks, we witness heavy-handed arrests in the middle of the street: men are extricated from their vehicles, dragged on the ground to be sent on buses, heading to the front. Sometimes, passers-by intervene and the targeted recruits manage to escape.
Dymitri, a recruitment agent, testified on Radio France about the evolution of practices: “The orders were to bring back men at any cost. At first we used to just patrol. Now we are carrying out raids in shopping centers, restaurants. »
As a result, some Ukrainians no longer dare to go out, stop going to work… Thus Oleg, a father and former taxi driver, only leaves his home for a few errands nearby. He confided to BFMTV: “I have friends who died in the war because they were thrown on a bus and sent to hell.”
France
