What's happened
Ukrainian refugees face an uncertain future as border guards detain men attempting to escape the military draft by swimming across the Tysa River. President Zelensky seeks to mobilize fresh troops amidst challenges in replenishing weaponry and mobilizing troops.
Why it matters
The influx of Ukrainian refugees and challenges in replenishing troops and weaponry pose significant concerns for Ukraine's defense. President Zelensky's efforts to strengthen the military and expand the draft are crucial in the face of ongoing conflict.
What the papers say
The New York Times highlights the challenges faced by Ukrainian border guards in detaining men attempting to escape the draft. Business Insider UK discusses the return of ex-convicts from fighting in Ukraine and the societal impact. The Independent shares the story of Russian soldiers deserting the army during the conflict in Ukraine.
How we got here
The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has led to a dire situation where Ukrainian refugees are fleeing the country, and the Ukrainian military is facing challenges in recruiting fresh troops. The passing of a law to expand the draft reflects the urgency to strengthen Ukraine's defense amidst the conflict.
More on these topics
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
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Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy is a Ukrainian politician, actor and comedian who is the 6th and current president of Ukraine, serving since May 2019.
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Ukrainians, historically also called Ruthenians, are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Ukraine, which is by total population the seventh-largest nation in Europe and the second-largest among the East Slavs after the Russians.