Kyiv, Ukraine implemented a mobilization law on Saturday in response to Russia’s new offensive, with fears that it may target Ukraine’s second-largest city. The legislation aims to identify every conscript in the country and offers incentives to soldiers, such as cash bonuses or assistance with purchasing a house or car. However, some analysts question Ukraine’s ability to afford these benefits, especially after two years of war with Russia that has strained the country’s forces and depleted resources.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also signed two other laws allowing prisoners to join the army and increasing fines for draft dodgers. Russia has been advancing with a ground offensive in northeastern Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, putting pressure on Kyiv’s military which already suffers from personnel shortages. Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that the goal is to establish a buffer zone rather than capturing Kharkiv, but recent strikes by Moscow’s forces have caused civilian casualties and prompted accusations of deliberate targeting by Zelenskyy.
The United States announced a new $400 million military aid package for Ukraine, with President Joe Biden promising to expedite the delivery of weapons to help fend off Russian advances. However, Ukrainian military commanders report that only small batches of aid have arrived at the front lines, with a two-month wait expected before supplies meet the country’s needs. Thousands of Ukrainians have fled the country to avoid the draft since the full-scale invasion by Russia in February 2022, with some risking their lives to cross a river separating Ukraine from neighboring Romania and Hungary.
Amid the conflict, Ukrainian border services have reported at least 30 casualties from attempted river crossings, with Romanian border guards recovering the body of a man from the Tisza River. The man, who appeared disfigured and had been floating for days, marks the 30th known casualty in the region. As tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue to escalate, concerns about civilian casualties and the impact on border regions persist. The implementation of mobilization laws and increased fines for draft dodgers signal the urgent need for bolstering Ukraine’s defenses against ongoing Russian aggression.
