Facing Hostility: Ukraine’s Mobilisation Squads in the Spotlight

The mobilisation squads in Ukraine are facing hostility as the country attempts to increase the size of its army. and , members of these squads, often encounter insults and arguments as they go about their duties in the suburbs of Kyiv. Men who see them approaching quickly walk away, showing the social divisions that have been created by the recruitment drive and years of war. Pimakhov and Pikhota, dressed in military uniforms and accompanied by a police escort, are easily identifiable as they carry out their tasks of checking papers and issuing military summons to men across the country. The goal is to bolster the ranks of the Ukrainian army in order to continue the fight against Russia. The emotional toll of this work is significant, as the officers face resistance and animosity from some members of the public. The deep-seated divisions within Ukrainian society are laid bare by the reactions of those who are approached by the mobilisation squads. Despite the challenges and hostility they encounter, Pimakhov, Pikhota, and their colleagues continue their efforts to strengthen the army and defend their country.