Ukrainian cities on edge: Intense military checks spark tension
On Saturday evening, military personnel and police conducted additional raids on restaurants, concert halls, nightclubs, and even gas stations in various Ukrainian cities, according to media reports. There are allegations regarding the death of a detained man, reportedly due to being beaten by military personnel.
According to TSN, military personnel and police appeared at a concert hall in Cherkasy on Saturday evening, where a popular Ukrainian comedian was performing. Audience members were recorded as they left the hall.
Checks in Ukraine: All men are being inspected
No one was permitted to leave the building independently until their documents had been checked.
The "Times Kyiv" reports that officials also visited a network of gas stations in Kyiv.
According to these accounts, drivers were not allowed to leave the station premises without their documents being verified.
Ukrainian blogger Jura Skyf from Lviv posted a video online claiming that employees of the Territorial Recruitment Center (TCK) and police were "blocking cars, tearing off doors, and beating people."
Alleged incident in Odessa involving soldiers
The most dramatic reports come from Odessa. Ukrainian journalist Anatoliy Shariy claims that one man died in the hospital after being detained by the military and police. It is alleged that TCK personnel were responsible for the beating.
Decision of the Council of Ministers: Three days to collect the summons
Simultaneously, the Council of Ministers decided that conscripts have three days to collect a summons from the military commission at the post office. According to Ukraine's public broadcaster Suspilne, "registered letters marked 'TCK summons' will be delivered personally to the recipient at the specified address."
"If the recipient is absent at the address provided in the registered letter, the postal worker notifies the recipient via an available phone number and/or places a notice to collect the registered letter marked 'TCK summons' in the mailbox," it states.
Failure to collect the summons within three days will result in a fine ranging from $630 to $945 (equivalent to 1,600 to 2,400 PLN).
Mass checks took place in Kyiv, Lutsk, Odessa, Lviv, Dnipro, Kharkiv, and Bukovel. Facilities inspected included restaurants, concert halls, shopping malls, gyms, and other sports venues.
The inspections have been ongoing since Friday evening. The most significant inspection occurred in Kyiv, where approximately 500 police and military officers arrived at the Sports Palace following a concert by a prominent artist. There were conflicts with the police.
Data registration obligation
Ukrainian men of conscription age had until July 16 to update their information in the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine's application.
The situation in the country was commented on by the Information Counteraction Center of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine. "There is a growing number of publications in the media and on social networks promoting the following anti-mobilization narratives: 'mobilization in Ukraine is socially unjust,' 'the Ukrainian authorities want to fight until the last Ukrainian,' 'Ukraine has no future.'"
"TCK employees act within their powers"
Mass media manipulation regarding the previous day's checks conducted by TCK employees, especially in Kyiv, is widespread online. Hostile media portray this situation as 'lawlessness' and attempt to exaggerate the significance of the events, giving them more weight than they deserve. (...) At the same time, enemy propagandists remain silent about the severe mobilization efforts occurring within Russia itself," reads a statement on Telegram.
The Center adds that a general mobilization was announced in Ukraine following the start of the full-scale invasion by Russia "as a forced measure and the only way to save the country from the Kremlin's invaders."
"TCK employees act within their powers," it emphasized.
