https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/15/bribes-and-hiding-at-home-the-ukrainian-men-trying-to-avoid-conscription
Some are spending life savings to stay out of the war, but such actions are seen as treasonous by those already fighting
I'm all for Ukraine winning the war defending their borders but I totally get it. You have only one life, but there are over 190 countries. Not everyone is so attached to a specific country, I know I'm not. Even if you're winning, there are still so many humans dying. People are spending life savings for bogus medical treatment to avoid dying prematurely, why would we not expect people spending life savings to avoid dying prematurely in a war?
Also the war is brutal and a lot of the casualties from Ukraine are generally self censored. Conscripts are mostly put in with territorial defense forces which get the shitty gear and little training and they are mainly used to hold the front line and generally don't have many options if they Russians decide to attack their fortifications.
I'm sure they would prefer a volunteer army. But they likely see a draft as a superior option to being subject to annexation and Russian tyranny.
and these people see draft dodging as a superior iron to being sent to die on the front lines.
I think we all get that. But it's not them being ethical, avoiding the draft. It's cowardice.
Understandable cowardice, of course. Can't say I would do any different.
Maybe ukies should consider alternative service for pacifists etc. Maybe as ambulance corps, civil defence, munitions factory workers, mining, farming, anything that supports the war effort. After giving such option and they still shirk, then take legal action.
Russia also targets civilians, hospitals and pizzerias, there is no safe place in Ukraine.
It says that they are sent to Britain to be trained. Unless they're being flown in to some military complex directly, why wouldn't they just run away once they've cleared immigration in the UK? Would British police arrest them even if they haven't broken any laws in the UK? Do Ukrainian army personnel have authorization to capture them and arrest them even on British soil?
I don't have any information but I'm willing to bet those are volunteers, not conscripts. If they are conscripts, they probably volunteered to be part of those units.
Would not be surprised if they landed in RAF Brize Norton and not a commercial Airport. So. Not many chances to do a runner.