"Russian Army Mobilizes 60,000 Occupied Territory Residents, Ukraine's Defenders Strike Back"

Approximately 55,000 to 60,000 residents from the occupied territories of Ukraine have been forcibly conscripted into the Russian army since the beginning of 2022, according to Ukraine's Defense Ministry. The forced mobilization involves catching people on the street, taking them from workplaces, and even removing students from classrooms. Russian authorities promised assignments in the second or third line of defense but instead placed them on the frontline. The aggressive conscription has led to the closure of enterprises and disrupted essential services, leaving residents with no choice but to hide or attempt illegal escape to avoid conscription.