An angry mob attacked and overturned a car carrying police officers in western Ukraine on Wednesday evening after a gang of journalists detained a man on the road.
The violence in the city of Lviv is the latest case of direct protests against the ‘do business’ campaign, where draft officers ambush military-aged men in public places and send them to the front line of the conflict with Russia, often using violence against those who resist.
Video from the scene shows protesters confronting officers before shaking the car and chanting “Shame!”
The regional recruitment office said in a statement that the confrontation began after draft officers and police stopped a man for a routine document check and discovered that he was violating unspecified recruitment rules. The man was taken into custody and sent for a medical examination.
Shortly after being detained, an “bright” a group of people stopped a car that was carrying another group of army officers in the same area and caused “major damage” for that, officials said.
Governor of Lviv Region Maksim Kozitsky said the fighters should be “identified and brought to court.” He added that the regional registration office will also investigate the actions of the officials. “There is no place for lawlessness,” he wrote on Telegram.
Some recruits and their families have accused authorities of systematic abuse, ignoring exemptions, and drafting unfit men for service as Ukraine struggles with a military shortage.
Dmitry Lubinets, Ukraine’s top human rights official, recently called for an investigation into the case of an employee who died last month in Lviv Region a day after being recruited. According to the man’s family, authorities failed to inform them of his death for nearly two weeks, and his body showed signs of violence, including multiple bruises.
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