Сьогодні ще один день коли діти яких забрала та клята ракета вже не посміхнуться. В деяких цей страх буде на довго, а може на завжди. Я не так давно сам приходив до Охматдиту показувати свого малого. Там працювали мої товариші. Цей тісний світ українського життя, де всі знайомі персонально або заочно. Невже це в силу нам терпіти і дати їм можливість стерти із записів ці серця.
Сьогодні ще один день коли діти яких забрала та клята ракета вже не посміхнуться. В деяких цей страх буде на довго, а може на завжди. Я не так давно сам приходив до Охматдиту показувати свого малого. Там працювали мої товариші. Цей тісний світ українського життя, де всі знайомі персонально або заочно. Невже це в силу нам терпіти і дати їм можливість стерти із записів ці серця.
Сьогодні ще один день коли діти яких забрала та клята ракета вже не посміхнуться. В деяких цей страх буде на довго, а може на завжди. Я не так давно сам приходив до Охматдиту показувати свого малого. Там працювали мої товариші. Цей тісний світ українського життя, де всі знайомі персонально або заочно. Невже це в силу нам терпіти і дати їм можливість стерти із записів ці серця.
Сьогодні ще один день коли діти яких забрала та клята ракета вже не посміхнуться. В деяких цей страх буде на довго, а може на завжди. Я не так давно сам приходив до Охматдиту показувати свого малого. Там працювали мої товариші. Цей тісний світ українського життя, де всі знайомі персонально або заочно. Невже це в силу нам терпіти і дати їм можливість стерти із записів ці серця.
Сьогодні ще один день коли діти яких забрала та клята ракета вже не посміхнуться. В деяких цей страх буде на довго, а може на завжди. Я не так давно сам приходив до Охматдиту показувати свого малого. Там працювали мої товариші. Цей тісний світ українського життя, де всі знайомі персонально або заочно. Невже це в силу нам терпіти і дати їм можливість стерти із записів ці серця.
Сьогодні ще один день коли діти яких забрала та клята ракета вже не посміхнуться. В деяких цей страх буде на довго, а може на завжди. Я не так давно сам приходив до Охматдиту показувати свого малого. Там працювали мої товариші. Цей тісний світ українського життя, де всі знайомі персонально або заочно. Невже це в силу нам терпіти і дати їм можливість стерти із записів ці серця.
Сьогодні ще один день коли діти яких забрала та клята ракета вже не посміхнуться. В деяких цей страх буде на довго, а може на завжди. Я не так давно сам приходив до Охматдиту показувати свого малого. Там працювали мої товариші. Цей тісний світ українського життя, де всі знайомі персонально або заочно. Невже це в силу нам терпіти і дати їм можливість стерти із записів ці серця.
Сьогодні ще один день коли діти яких забрала та клята ракета вже не посміхнуться. В деяких цей страх буде на довго, а може на завжди. Я не так давно сам приходив до Охматдиту показувати свого малого. Там працювали мої товариші. Цей тісний світ українського життя, де всі знайомі персонально або заочно. Невже це в силу нам терпіти і дати їм можливість стерти із записів ці серця.
Сьогодні ще один день коли діти яких забрала та клята ракета вже не посміхнуться. В деяких цей страх буде на довго, а може на завжди. Я не так давно сам приходив до Охматдиту показувати свого малого. Там працювали мої товариші. Цей тісний світ українського життя, де всі знайомі персонально або заочно. Невже це в силу нам терпіти і дати їм можливість стерти із записів ці серця.
Сьогодні ще один день коли діти яких забрала та клята ракета вже не посміхнуться. В деяких цей страх буде на довго, а може на завжди. Я не так давно сам приходив до Охматдиту показувати свого малого. Там працювали мої товариші. Цей тісний світ українського життя, де всі знайомі персонально або заочно. Невже це в силу нам терпіти і дати їм можливість стерти із записів ці серця.
At the Paris Olympics, it will no longer be personal for Ukraine’s athletes. This time, it’s war For Ukrainian hurdler Anna Ryzhykova, each stride on the Paris Olympic track will have meaning far beyond the time she clocks. Her competitions are no longer strictly an individual battle, but war on a different front. Her goal is not just gold, but also to rivet global attention on her country’s fight for survival against Russia. “You’re not doing it for yourself anymore,” she says. “Winning a medal just for yourself, being a champion, realizing your ambitions — it’s inappropriate.” Ukrainian high jumper keeps her eye on the raised bar, but her mind is fixed on the war Kateryna Tabashnyk’s success depends upon utter concentration on the here and now, on the height of the bar in front of her and her body’s ability to leap it. That focus and drive is a requirement for all high-level athletes. But the 30-year-old Ukrainian high jumper’s mind wanders often to her bombarded native city of Kharkiv and the Russian missiles that have stolen so much: her mother, her apartment, a pain-free childhood for her nephew, even the fields where she trained. Part of her is always home, she said, “and when your home has been destroyed, it feels like a large void.” Ukrainian boxer sacrifices Olympic dreams and life to fight against Russia’s invasion Maksym Halinichev won silver at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires in a match described at the time as “two of the best young fighters going for glory.” He considered the bout a loss – it wasn’t gold, after all – but it gave him a map for the future. So Halinichev made plans: He would defeat that boxer the next time around. He would teach his daughter the basics of his sport so she could defend herself. And he would win a medal for Ukraine at the Paris Olympics. He’ll not get to prove that philosophy in the Olympic ring in Paris. Halinichev signed up as a soldier and was killed at the front in March 2023 at age 22, one of more than 400 athletes killed since the outbreak of the war. His body has yet to be recovered. Text by @h_arhirova #ukraine #russia #war #olympics
At the Paris Olympics, it will no longer be personal for Ukraine’s athletes. This time, it’s war For Ukrainian hurdler Anna Ryzhykova, each stride on the Paris Olympic track will have meaning far beyond the time she clocks. Her competitions are no longer strictly an individual battle, but war on a different front. Her goal is not just gold, but also to rivet global attention on her country’s fight for survival against Russia. “You’re not doing it for yourself anymore,” she says. “Winning a medal just for yourself, being a champion, realizing your ambitions — it’s inappropriate.” Ukrainian high jumper keeps her eye on the raised bar, but her mind is fixed on the war Kateryna Tabashnyk’s success depends upon utter concentration on the here and now, on the height of the bar in front of her and her body’s ability to leap it. That focus and drive is a requirement for all high-level athletes. But the 30-year-old Ukrainian high jumper’s mind wanders often to her bombarded native city of Kharkiv and the Russian missiles that have stolen so much: her mother, her apartment, a pain-free childhood for her nephew, even the fields where she trained. Part of her is always home, she said, “and when your home has been destroyed, it feels like a large void.” Ukrainian boxer sacrifices Olympic dreams and life to fight against Russia’s invasion Maksym Halinichev won silver at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires in a match described at the time as “two of the best young fighters going for glory.” He considered the bout a loss – it wasn’t gold, after all – but it gave him a map for the future. So Halinichev made plans: He would defeat that boxer the next time around. He would teach his daughter the basics of his sport so she could defend herself. And he would win a medal for Ukraine at the Paris Olympics. He’ll not get to prove that philosophy in the Olympic ring in Paris. Halinichev signed up as a soldier and was killed at the front in March 2023 at age 22, one of more than 400 athletes killed since the outbreak of the war. His body has yet to be recovered. Text by @h_arhirova #ukraine #russia #war #olympics
At the Paris Olympics, it will no longer be personal for Ukraine’s athletes. This time, it’s war For Ukrainian hurdler Anna Ryzhykova, each stride on the Paris Olympic track will have meaning far beyond the time she clocks. Her competitions are no longer strictly an individual battle, but war on a different front. Her goal is not just gold, but also to rivet global attention on her country’s fight for survival against Russia. “You’re not doing it for yourself anymore,” she says. “Winning a medal just for yourself, being a champion, realizing your ambitions — it’s inappropriate.” Ukrainian high jumper keeps her eye on the raised bar, but her mind is fixed on the war Kateryna Tabashnyk’s success depends upon utter concentration on the here and now, on the height of the bar in front of her and her body’s ability to leap it. That focus and drive is a requirement for all high-level athletes. But the 30-year-old Ukrainian high jumper’s mind wanders often to her bombarded native city of Kharkiv and the Russian missiles that have stolen so much: her mother, her apartment, a pain-free childhood for her nephew, even the fields where she trained. Part of her is always home, she said, “and when your home has been destroyed, it feels like a large void.” Ukrainian boxer sacrifices Olympic dreams and life to fight against Russia’s invasion Maksym Halinichev won silver at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires in a match described at the time as “two of the best young fighters going for glory.” He considered the bout a loss – it wasn’t gold, after all – but it gave him a map for the future. So Halinichev made plans: He would defeat that boxer the next time around. He would teach his daughter the basics of his sport so she could defend herself. And he would win a medal for Ukraine at the Paris Olympics. He’ll not get to prove that philosophy in the Olympic ring in Paris. Halinichev signed up as a soldier and was killed at the front in March 2023 at age 22, one of more than 400 athletes killed since the outbreak of the war. His body has yet to be recovered. Text by @h_arhirova #ukraine #russia #war #olympics
At the Paris Olympics, it will no longer be personal for Ukraine’s athletes. This time, it’s war For Ukrainian hurdler Anna Ryzhykova, each stride on the Paris Olympic track will have meaning far beyond the time she clocks. Her competitions are no longer strictly an individual battle, but war on a different front. Her goal is not just gold, but also to rivet global attention on her country’s fight for survival against Russia. “You’re not doing it for yourself anymore,” she says. “Winning a medal just for yourself, being a champion, realizing your ambitions — it’s inappropriate.” Ukrainian high jumper keeps her eye on the raised bar, but her mind is fixed on the war Kateryna Tabashnyk’s success depends upon utter concentration on the here and now, on the height of the bar in front of her and her body’s ability to leap it. That focus and drive is a requirement for all high-level athletes. But the 30-year-old Ukrainian high jumper’s mind wanders often to her bombarded native city of Kharkiv and the Russian missiles that have stolen so much: her mother, her apartment, a pain-free childhood for her nephew, even the fields where she trained. Part of her is always home, she said, “and when your home has been destroyed, it feels like a large void.” Ukrainian boxer sacrifices Olympic dreams and life to fight against Russia’s invasion Maksym Halinichev won silver at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires in a match described at the time as “two of the best young fighters going for glory.” He considered the bout a loss – it wasn’t gold, after all – but it gave him a map for the future. So Halinichev made plans: He would defeat that boxer the next time around. He would teach his daughter the basics of his sport so she could defend herself. And he would win a medal for Ukraine at the Paris Olympics. He’ll not get to prove that philosophy in the Olympic ring in Paris. Halinichev signed up as a soldier and was killed at the front in March 2023 at age 22, one of more than 400 athletes killed since the outbreak of the war. His body has yet to be recovered. Text by @h_arhirova #ukraine #russia #war #olympics
At the Paris Olympics, it will no longer be personal for Ukraine’s athletes. This time, it’s war For Ukrainian hurdler Anna Ryzhykova, each stride on the Paris Olympic track will have meaning far beyond the time she clocks. Her competitions are no longer strictly an individual battle, but war on a different front. Her goal is not just gold, but also to rivet global attention on her country’s fight for survival against Russia. “You’re not doing it for yourself anymore,” she says. “Winning a medal just for yourself, being a champion, realizing your ambitions — it’s inappropriate.” Ukrainian high jumper keeps her eye on the raised bar, but her mind is fixed on the war Kateryna Tabashnyk’s success depends upon utter concentration on the here and now, on the height of the bar in front of her and her body’s ability to leap it. That focus and drive is a requirement for all high-level athletes. But the 30-year-old Ukrainian high jumper’s mind wanders often to her bombarded native city of Kharkiv and the Russian missiles that have stolen so much: her mother, her apartment, a pain-free childhood for her nephew, even the fields where she trained. Part of her is always home, she said, “and when your home has been destroyed, it feels like a large void.” Ukrainian boxer sacrifices Olympic dreams and life to fight against Russia’s invasion Maksym Halinichev won silver at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires in a match described at the time as “two of the best young fighters going for glory.” He considered the bout a loss – it wasn’t gold, after all – but it gave him a map for the future. So Halinichev made plans: He would defeat that boxer the next time around. He would teach his daughter the basics of his sport so she could defend herself. And he would win a medal for Ukraine at the Paris Olympics. He’ll not get to prove that philosophy in the Olympic ring in Paris. Halinichev signed up as a soldier and was killed at the front in March 2023 at age 22, one of more than 400 athletes killed since the outbreak of the war. His body has yet to be recovered. Text by @h_arhirova #ukraine #russia #war #olympics
At the Paris Olympics, it will no longer be personal for Ukraine’s athletes. This time, it’s war For Ukrainian hurdler Anna Ryzhykova, each stride on the Paris Olympic track will have meaning far beyond the time she clocks. Her competitions are no longer strictly an individual battle, but war on a different front. Her goal is not just gold, but also to rivet global attention on her country’s fight for survival against Russia. “You’re not doing it for yourself anymore,” she says. “Winning a medal just for yourself, being a champion, realizing your ambitions — it’s inappropriate.” Ukrainian high jumper keeps her eye on the raised bar, but her mind is fixed on the war Kateryna Tabashnyk’s success depends upon utter concentration on the here and now, on the height of the bar in front of her and her body’s ability to leap it. That focus and drive is a requirement for all high-level athletes. But the 30-year-old Ukrainian high jumper’s mind wanders often to her bombarded native city of Kharkiv and the Russian missiles that have stolen so much: her mother, her apartment, a pain-free childhood for her nephew, even the fields where she trained. Part of her is always home, she said, “and when your home has been destroyed, it feels like a large void.” Ukrainian boxer sacrifices Olympic dreams and life to fight against Russia’s invasion Maksym Halinichev won silver at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires in a match described at the time as “two of the best young fighters going for glory.” He considered the bout a loss – it wasn’t gold, after all – but it gave him a map for the future. So Halinichev made plans: He would defeat that boxer the next time around. He would teach his daughter the basics of his sport so she could defend herself. And he would win a medal for Ukraine at the Paris Olympics. He’ll not get to prove that philosophy in the Olympic ring in Paris. Halinichev signed up as a soldier and was killed at the front in March 2023 at age 22, one of more than 400 athletes killed since the outbreak of the war. His body has yet to be recovered. Text by @h_arhirova #ukraine #russia #war #olympics
At the Paris Olympics, it will no longer be personal for Ukraine’s athletes. This time, it’s war For Ukrainian hurdler Anna Ryzhykova, each stride on the Paris Olympic track will have meaning far beyond the time she clocks. Her competitions are no longer strictly an individual battle, but war on a different front. Her goal is not just gold, but also to rivet global attention on her country’s fight for survival against Russia. “You’re not doing it for yourself anymore,” she says. “Winning a medal just for yourself, being a champion, realizing your ambitions — it’s inappropriate.” Ukrainian high jumper keeps her eye on the raised bar, but her mind is fixed on the war Kateryna Tabashnyk’s success depends upon utter concentration on the here and now, on the height of the bar in front of her and her body’s ability to leap it. That focus and drive is a requirement for all high-level athletes. But the 30-year-old Ukrainian high jumper’s mind wanders often to her bombarded native city of Kharkiv and the Russian missiles that have stolen so much: her mother, her apartment, a pain-free childhood for her nephew, even the fields where she trained. Part of her is always home, she said, “and when your home has been destroyed, it feels like a large void.” Ukrainian boxer sacrifices Olympic dreams and life to fight against Russia’s invasion Maksym Halinichev won silver at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires in a match described at the time as “two of the best young fighters going for glory.” He considered the bout a loss – it wasn’t gold, after all – but it gave him a map for the future. So Halinichev made plans: He would defeat that boxer the next time around. He would teach his daughter the basics of his sport so she could defend herself. And he would win a medal for Ukraine at the Paris Olympics. He’ll not get to prove that philosophy in the Olympic ring in Paris. Halinichev signed up as a soldier and was killed at the front in March 2023 at age 22, one of more than 400 athletes killed since the outbreak of the war. His body has yet to be recovered. Text by @h_arhirova #ukraine #russia #war #olympics
At the Paris Olympics, it will no longer be personal for Ukraine’s athletes. This time, it’s war For Ukrainian hurdler Anna Ryzhykova, each stride on the Paris Olympic track will have meaning far beyond the time she clocks. Her competitions are no longer strictly an individual battle, but war on a different front. Her goal is not just gold, but also to rivet global attention on her country’s fight for survival against Russia. “You’re not doing it for yourself anymore,” she says. “Winning a medal just for yourself, being a champion, realizing your ambitions — it’s inappropriate.” Ukrainian high jumper keeps her eye on the raised bar, but her mind is fixed on the war Kateryna Tabashnyk’s success depends upon utter concentration on the here and now, on the height of the bar in front of her and her body’s ability to leap it. That focus and drive is a requirement for all high-level athletes. But the 30-year-old Ukrainian high jumper’s mind wanders often to her bombarded native city of Kharkiv and the Russian missiles that have stolen so much: her mother, her apartment, a pain-free childhood for her nephew, even the fields where she trained. Part of her is always home, she said, “and when your home has been destroyed, it feels like a large void.” Ukrainian boxer sacrifices Olympic dreams and life to fight against Russia’s invasion Maksym Halinichev won silver at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires in a match described at the time as “two of the best young fighters going for glory.” He considered the bout a loss – it wasn’t gold, after all – but it gave him a map for the future. So Halinichev made plans: He would defeat that boxer the next time around. He would teach his daughter the basics of his sport so she could defend herself. And he would win a medal for Ukraine at the Paris Olympics. He’ll not get to prove that philosophy in the Olympic ring in Paris. Halinichev signed up as a soldier and was killed at the front in March 2023 at age 22, one of more than 400 athletes killed since the outbreak of the war. His body has yet to be recovered. Text by @h_arhirova #ukraine #russia #war #olympics
Ukraine is releasing thousands of prisoners so they can join the fight against Russia. At a rural penal colony in southeast Ukraine, several convicts stand assembled under barbed wire to hear an army recruiter offer them a shot at parole. In return, they must join the grueling fight against Russia. “You can put an end to this and start a new life,” said the recruiter, a member of a volunteer assault battalion. “The main thing is your will, because you are going to defend the motherland. You won’t succeed at 50%, you have to give 100% of yourself, even 150%.” Ukraine is expanding the draft to cope with acute battlefield shortages more than two years into fighting against Russia’s full-scale invasion. And its recruiting efforts have turned, for the first time, to the country’s prison population. Although Ukraine does not announce any details of troop deployment numbers or casualties, frontline commanders openly acknowledge that they are facing serious manpower problems as Russian continues to build up forces in eastern Ukraine and make incremental gains westward. More than 3,000 prisoners already have been released on parole and assigned to military units after such recruitment was approved by parliament in a controversial mobilization bill last month, Ukrainian Deputy Justice Minister Olena Vysotska told The Associated Press. About 27,000 inmates could potentially be eligible for the new program, according to Justice Ministry estimates. “A lot of the motivation comes from (inmates) wanting to return home a hero, and not to return home from prison,” Vysotska said. #ukraine #russia #war #invasion #prisoners #mobilisation
Ukraine is releasing thousands of prisoners so they can join the fight against Russia. At a rural penal colony in southeast Ukraine, several convicts stand assembled under barbed wire to hear an army recruiter offer them a shot at parole. In return, they must join the grueling fight against Russia. “You can put an end to this and start a new life,” said the recruiter, a member of a volunteer assault battalion. “The main thing is your will, because you are going to defend the motherland. You won’t succeed at 50%, you have to give 100% of yourself, even 150%.” Ukraine is expanding the draft to cope with acute battlefield shortages more than two years into fighting against Russia’s full-scale invasion. And its recruiting efforts have turned, for the first time, to the country’s prison population. Although Ukraine does not announce any details of troop deployment numbers or casualties, frontline commanders openly acknowledge that they are facing serious manpower problems as Russian continues to build up forces in eastern Ukraine and make incremental gains westward. More than 3,000 prisoners already have been released on parole and assigned to military units after such recruitment was approved by parliament in a controversial mobilization bill last month, Ukrainian Deputy Justice Minister Olena Vysotska told The Associated Press. About 27,000 inmates could potentially be eligible for the new program, according to Justice Ministry estimates. “A lot of the motivation comes from (inmates) wanting to return home a hero, and not to return home from prison,” Vysotska said. #ukraine #russia #war #invasion #prisoners #mobilisation
Ukraine is releasing thousands of prisoners so they can join the fight against Russia. At a rural penal colony in southeast Ukraine, several convicts stand assembled under barbed wire to hear an army recruiter offer them a shot at parole. In return, they must join the grueling fight against Russia. “You can put an end to this and start a new life,” said the recruiter, a member of a volunteer assault battalion. “The main thing is your will, because you are going to defend the motherland. You won’t succeed at 50%, you have to give 100% of yourself, even 150%.” Ukraine is expanding the draft to cope with acute battlefield shortages more than two years into fighting against Russia’s full-scale invasion. And its recruiting efforts have turned, for the first time, to the country’s prison population. Although Ukraine does not announce any details of troop deployment numbers or casualties, frontline commanders openly acknowledge that they are facing serious manpower problems as Russian continues to build up forces in eastern Ukraine and make incremental gains westward. More than 3,000 prisoners already have been released on parole and assigned to military units after such recruitment was approved by parliament in a controversial mobilization bill last month, Ukrainian Deputy Justice Minister Olena Vysotska told The Associated Press. About 27,000 inmates could potentially be eligible for the new program, according to Justice Ministry estimates. “A lot of the motivation comes from (inmates) wanting to return home a hero, and not to return home from prison,” Vysotska said. #ukraine #russia #war #invasion #prisoners #mobilisation
Ukraine is releasing thousands of prisoners so they can join the fight against Russia. At a rural penal colony in southeast Ukraine, several convicts stand assembled under barbed wire to hear an army recruiter offer them a shot at parole. In return, they must join the grueling fight against Russia. “You can put an end to this and start a new life,” said the recruiter, a member of a volunteer assault battalion. “The main thing is your will, because you are going to defend the motherland. You won’t succeed at 50%, you have to give 100% of yourself, even 150%.” Ukraine is expanding the draft to cope with acute battlefield shortages more than two years into fighting against Russia’s full-scale invasion. And its recruiting efforts have turned, for the first time, to the country’s prison population. Although Ukraine does not announce any details of troop deployment numbers or casualties, frontline commanders openly acknowledge that they are facing serious manpower problems as Russian continues to build up forces in eastern Ukraine and make incremental gains westward. More than 3,000 prisoners already have been released on parole and assigned to military units after such recruitment was approved by parliament in a controversial mobilization bill last month, Ukrainian Deputy Justice Minister Olena Vysotska told The Associated Press. About 27,000 inmates could potentially be eligible for the new program, according to Justice Ministry estimates. “A lot of the motivation comes from (inmates) wanting to return home a hero, and not to return home from prison,” Vysotska said. #ukraine #russia #war #invasion #prisoners #mobilisation
Ukraine is releasing thousands of prisoners so they can join the fight against Russia. At a rural penal colony in southeast Ukraine, several convicts stand assembled under barbed wire to hear an army recruiter offer them a shot at parole. In return, they must join the grueling fight against Russia. “You can put an end to this and start a new life,” said the recruiter, a member of a volunteer assault battalion. “The main thing is your will, because you are going to defend the motherland. You won’t succeed at 50%, you have to give 100% of yourself, even 150%.” Ukraine is expanding the draft to cope with acute battlefield shortages more than two years into fighting against Russia’s full-scale invasion. And its recruiting efforts have turned, for the first time, to the country’s prison population. Although Ukraine does not announce any details of troop deployment numbers or casualties, frontline commanders openly acknowledge that they are facing serious manpower problems as Russian continues to build up forces in eastern Ukraine and make incremental gains westward. More than 3,000 prisoners already have been released on parole and assigned to military units after such recruitment was approved by parliament in a controversial mobilization bill last month, Ukrainian Deputy Justice Minister Olena Vysotska told The Associated Press. About 27,000 inmates could potentially be eligible for the new program, according to Justice Ministry estimates. “A lot of the motivation comes from (inmates) wanting to return home a hero, and not to return home from prison,” Vysotska said. #ukraine #russia #war #invasion #prisoners #mobilisation
Ukraine is releasing thousands of prisoners so they can join the fight against Russia. At a rural penal colony in southeast Ukraine, several convicts stand assembled under barbed wire to hear an army recruiter offer them a shot at parole. In return, they must join the grueling fight against Russia. “You can put an end to this and start a new life,” said the recruiter, a member of a volunteer assault battalion. “The main thing is your will, because you are going to defend the motherland. You won’t succeed at 50%, you have to give 100% of yourself, even 150%.” Ukraine is expanding the draft to cope with acute battlefield shortages more than two years into fighting against Russia’s full-scale invasion. And its recruiting efforts have turned, for the first time, to the country’s prison population. Although Ukraine does not announce any details of troop deployment numbers or casualties, frontline commanders openly acknowledge that they are facing serious manpower problems as Russian continues to build up forces in eastern Ukraine and make incremental gains westward. More than 3,000 prisoners already have been released on parole and assigned to military units after such recruitment was approved by parliament in a controversial mobilization bill last month, Ukrainian Deputy Justice Minister Olena Vysotska told The Associated Press. About 27,000 inmates could potentially be eligible for the new program, according to Justice Ministry estimates. “A lot of the motivation comes from (inmates) wanting to return home a hero, and not to return home from prison,” Vysotska said. #ukraine #russia #war #invasion #prisoners #mobilisation
