In a shocking twist amidst the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Ukraine’s top prosecutor, Andriy Kostin, has tendered his resignation following revelations that dozens of officials fraudulently obtained disabled status to dodge the military draft. The stunning development comes as North Korean soldiers are poised to bolster Russia’s beleaguered forces in the Kursk region, underscoring Moscow’s growing desperation nearly three years into the conflict.
Prosecutor General Resigns Over ‘Amoral’ Draft Dodging
The draft-dodging scandal that has rocked Ukraine saw 64 members of medical commissions named as suspects in criminal probes this year alone, with nine already convicted, according to the nation’s domestic security service, the SBU. Denouncing the situation as ‘clearly amoral,’ Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin agreed with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that resignation was the proper course of action.
“The prosecutor general must take political responsibility for the situation in the prosecution bodies of Ukraine,” Zelenskyy declared after a security council meeting on the issue.
The revelations have sent shockwaves through Ukrainian society, where most working-age men are barred from leaving the country and those 25 and over face potential conscription. In a grim reminder of the stakes, a man wanted for evading the draft took his own life at an army recruitment center in Poltava after being apprehended by authorities.
North Korean Troops Set to Arrive in Russia
As Ukraine grapples with the draft-dodging scandal, North Korean soldiers are expected to deploy to Russia’s Kursk region as early as Wednesday, according to Ukrainian military intelligence. The move is widely seen as a sign of Moscow’s growing desperation nearly three years into a war that has severely depleted its military manpower and resources.
“It relies on Iranian weapons, it relies on North Korean soldiers. How much worse can it get?” Finnish President Alexander Stubb remarked, underscoring the dire straits Russia finds itself in.
Russian Attacks Take Toll as Ukraine’s Population Plummets
The protracted conflict has exacted a heavy toll on Ukraine, with the UN population fund estimating that the nation’s population has plunged by a staggering 8 million since the full-scale invasion began in 2022. Russian attacks continue to claim civilian lives, with drone and artillery strikes killing five, including a child, in the Sumy and Donetsk regions Tuesday.
Despite setbacks, such as Russian forces advancing over a key waterway in Chasiv Yar, Ukrainian officials remain defiant. “There is no critical failure and we are not about to lose Chasiv Yar,” a military official asserted, even as fierce fighting persists.
US and G7 Allies Rally Support
As Ukraine confronts these myriad challenges, the US and its G7 allies are moving to bolster Kyiv’s war effort. The US plans to contribute $20 billion to a G7 loan package for Ukraine totaling $50 billion, which will be backed by profits from interest on frozen Russian assets. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also hinted at impending sanctions targeting Russian arms procurement networks.
The draft-dodging scandal and arrival of North Korean reinforcements underscore the complex, ever-shifting dynamics of a war that has raged for nearly three years. As Ukraine strives to root out corruption and maintain its defenses, the international community’s unwavering support remains crucial in its fight for sovereignty and survival.
