How Ukraine tries to solve a delicate, full -propaganda speculated problem: body video cameras
The members of the regional recruitment bureau in Kharkov verifies the documents of a civilian. Kharkov, Ukraine, August 8, 2024. Photo: Narciso Contreras / AFP / Profimedia
All employees of the Ukraine recruitment centers will have the obligation to wear video cameras and record the images while checking the documents and hand over the enrollment in the army from September 1, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense announced on Thursday.
“This measure will contribute to ensuring the transparency and legality in the activity of the teams of recruitment offices, as well as to protect the rights of both parties,” said Defense Minister Denis Șmîhal.
In the context of mobilization efforts in Ukraine, currently conducted, recruitment centers are often accused, sometimes justified, that they resort to forced recruitment measures – without respecting fundamental civil rights – and the maltraction of recruits, notes The Kyiv Independent.
The ministry led by Șmîhal, the former prime minister, said that disciplinary measures will be taken in cases where the requirement to wear a video camera and to record the images is violated.
Currently, about 85% of the recruitment centers staff is equipped with video cameras, and the efforts for purchasing additional devices are ongoing.
Reports on forced mobilization in Ukraine are often used by Russian propaganda to contribute to escalating social tensions in Ukraine and to further affect the recruitment efforts of Ukrainian authorities, writes the publication in Kiev.
In June and July, Russian forces launched several attacks on recruitment centers in Krivoi Rog, Poltava, Kremenciuk, Kharkov and Zaporojie, bombing by damaging infrastructure and causing victims among civilians and military.
These recent attacks are considered a climbing of the tactic meant to disrupt Ukraine's mobilization efforts and feed social disorders.
Last week, on August 1, the protesters gathered in the city of Vinnița to request the release of men detained by the military recruitment centers, entering a stadium where they were held.
The police said, the next day, that he had opened an investigation into the respective protests. Five men between the ages of 21 and 33 were accused of occupying a state building.
