Incident in Dnipro: Man Hospitalized in Grave Condition Following Confrontation with Territorial Recruitment Staff
A man is currently hospitalized in extremely serious condition in Dnipro after an encounter with personnel from the Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Centers (TCC and SP), who were wearing balaclavas. The victim sustained a traumatic brain injury and, according to reports, was in a coma. The official version from the military department claims that the man "fell on his own and hit his head." This has sparked public concern, as the situation demands a thorough investigation.
Ombudsman's Response and Pre-Trial Investigation
Ukraine's Ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, reported that the victim's wife contacted him, identifying the attackers as representatives of the TCC and SP. She stated that these individuals were wearing uniforms and balaclavas. Lubinets also emphasized that this incident is not isolated and that such working methods negatively impact mobilization efforts. He stressed that people have the right to know who approaches them, detains them, or uses force against them.
According to Lubinets, a pre-trial investigation has been launched under Article 128 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which covers liability for reckless infliction of grievous or moderate bodily harm. He stated:
“I have already appealed to the prosecutor's office, which provides procedural oversight, demanding a full and impartial investigation and verification of whether the TCC and SP representatives complied with legal requirements during the notification procedures.”
Dmytro Lubinets also noted that
“a state that operates in masks should not be surprised that citizens flee from it.”He underscored that, under Ukrainian law, TCC and SP representatives must be properly identified and present their official IDs while performing their duties.
It is worth recalling that recently, the Security Service of Ukraine, jointly with the National Police, detained an employee from one of the mobilization departments of the TCC and SP in Dnipro for systematically extorting bribes from military conscripts. Additionally, the SBU exposed the head of the Zhytomyr Regional TCC and SP for corruption. These events highlight the need for greater oversight and transparency in the activities of bodies responsible for mobilization.
This incident in Dnipro has become a subject of public debate, raising questions about the actions of TCC and SP representatives while carrying out their duties. The involvement of the Ombudsman and the prosecutor's office in the investigation underscores the seriousness of the situation and the need to ensure citizens' rights. Parallel cases of corruption within mobilization agencies emphasize the importance of reform and increasing accountability among officials, which could affect public trust in state institutions.
The growing concerns regarding military recruitment practices are not limited to Dnipro. In a related incident, Kyiv police recently apprehended two individuals accused of extorting $20,000 from citizens seeking to avoid the military draft. This situation highlights the broader issues surrounding recruitment methods and public trust in the military authorities. For more details on this alarming case, see how it connects to the ongoing challenges faced by those navigating the current mobilization landscape in Ukraine here.