Summary
Vladimir Putin ordered the conscription of 160,000 men—the largest draft since 2011—despite ongoing U.S.-mediated ceasefire talks with Ukraine.
The move raises doubts about Russia’s commitment to diplomacy, with Kyiv accusing Moscow of using talks to buy time for battlefield gains in Sumy, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia.
Ukraine claims Russia intends to escalate the war, citing forced contracts for conscripts. Losses remain high on both sides, with Russia reportedly losing over 100,000 troops in 2024 alone.
More meat for the meat grinder. And unlike Ukrainians Russia does have a choice to stop the war - all they need to do is stop and leave.
Ukrainians die to protect their homeland against invasion. Russians die for needless oligarchic aspirations of dominion of the elite. It’s not the same thing for either side, as many like to make it seem as if Ukraine has any responsibility in the matter.
Any loss of life on Russia’s side is completely optional, and due to Putin’s whims. Not that it matters to the vultures surrounding Ukraine.
Not to justify it, but at this point Putin has maneuvered himself and Russia’s economy into a situation where if the war stops and another doesn’t start, the Russian economy will collapse and Putin will most likely end up dead. He made himself quite powerless in a way.
Between Zelensky publicly stating Putin has health issues and will die soon, and the recent incident with Putin’s limousine, he may not have a whole lot longer in any event. One can only hope…
Putin’s limo explosion got very little exposure in the American media. They don’t want anyone getting any big ideas about a rising resistance.
I think what some people are arguing about is that ukraine government practices much resemble these of the russian government. Ukraine government is also drafting people by force and arresting any male between 18-60 who tries to leave the border. Many people died as a result trying to flee.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_conscription_crisis#Border_crossings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXhC8WREVKM
Drafting people by force is a needless authoritarian practice in any scenario.
This is how it works when your country has war on it’s land, it doesn’t matter what system of government you have.
I would expect any European country to react the same with war on their land.
War is hell on earth
This is how you are told it works when your country has war on it’s land.
I would expect the same, most of them are ruled by corrupted politicians with blood on their hands
I agree, drafting people by force brings you closer to hell.
Sweden, long known for being neutral (up until joining NATO last year) and peaceful, can by law compel every single swedish citizen between the ages of 16 and 70 to serve during wartime.
Exactly as you state, almost every sovereign country on the planet likely has some version of this.
Any numbers on that last claim? Maybe compare it to number of people who already fled, and number of civilians who died from russian rockets.
the wikipedia link i posted