In a time when Ukraine is fighting fiercely for its independence and freedom, internal issues threaten to undermine the very foundation of the state. A video recently surfaced on social media, shocking thousands of Ukrainians: conscription-age men, handcuffed and locked behind bars in inhumane conditions, complain of brutal treatment by representatives of the Poltava Military Service for Law and Order (VSP). These are not scenes from a documentary about authoritarian regimes – this is the reality of modern Ukraine, where laws, the Constitution, and basic human rights seem to have become empty declarations. The video, recorded by the victims themselves on their mobile phones, quickly spread online, sparking a wave of outrage. Yet, as of the publication of this article, no official comment has been provided by the Poltava VSP – a silence that only fuels suspicions of systemic violations.
The video, which appeared on social media, shows a group of men in handcuffs being transported to a distribution center. They recount experiences of humiliation, physical abuse, and detention in conditions resembling prison cells for criminals. “They transported us in handcuffs like criminals, then locked us behind bars in a cramped cage with no water or basic conditions,” the men lament on the recording. The footage reveals VSP representatives treating the detainees harshly, ignoring their protests. One victim compares the situation to a “concentration camp,” emphasizing that such treatment demoralizes not only them but society as a whole.
A Google search reveals this is not an isolated incident. Similar complaints about abuses by military structures have been reported across the country. In the Poltava region, in particular, there have been documented cases of conscription-age men falling victim to arbitrary actions. For instance, the region previously witnessed a scandal involving the shooting of a Territorial Recruitment Center (TCC) serviceman, highlighting a deep crisis in the mobilization system. Another case involved a man’s suicide at a Poltava regional TCC collection point, where detention conditions were also horrific. Now, this video directly illustrates how the VSP, tasked with maintaining order in the Armed Forces, is turning into an instrument of repression.
The comparison to North Korea or China, made by the victims themselves, does not seem exaggerated. In those countries, political repression is often disguised as “state necessity,” and human rights are ignored in the name of a “higher purpose.” In Ukraine, where a war with Russia rages on, mobilization has become a justification for similar abuses. Men of conscription age (25 to 60) are required to update their military registration data, but the process often turns into a manhunt: checkpoints, inspections, and detentions without explanation. “You’re driving us crazy!” drivers in the Poltava region exclaim, frustrated by daily stops and checks by police and TCC that push people to the brink of nervous breakdowns.
We, along with ordinary Ukrainians, understand that a full-scale war with the Russian aggressor is ongoing, and defending the state is necessary. But why resort to such illegal methods? Why humiliate, beat, and “busify” men? Why discredit the authorities and the military with these actions? Such behavior undermines trust in both the government and the armed forces!
This video is not just a local scandal but a symptom of a deep crisis in the Ukrainian system. The Constitution of Ukraine guarantees every citizen protection from torture, humiliation, and arbitrary detention (Articles 28, 29). International human rights standards, to which Ukraine is a signatory, prohibit inhumane treatment. But the reality is different: mobilization laws (including those updated in 2024) grant broad powers to TCCs and VSP, which are often abused. “This is an AWOL case they’re pressuring to sign a transfer to an assault brigade,” social media comments describe similar incidents, detailing starvation and being tied to beds in Poltava’s detention centers.
The 2024 annual report by the Ukrainian Parliament’s Human Rights Commissioner documents numerous violations during medical examinations by Military Medical Commissions (VLC) and the detention of conscripts. Even erroneous summonses are sent in the names of fallen soldiers – “no such case is intentional abuse,” the military claims, but this does not negate systemic issues. In Poltava, men cannot even update their data due to system failures, leading to chaos and abuses.
The most disheartening aspect of this story is the indifference of Western partners. The United States and the European Union provide billions in aid to Ukraine, but when it comes to internal human rights violations, their response is minimal. “Our American and European partners know but do not react,” commentators rightly point out. Reports of abuses in TCCs and VSP reach international organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. Even male refugees of conscription age in Europe face pressure to return, disregarding the risks of abuse back home. Why does the West, which champions democracy, turn a blind eye? Perhaps out of fear of destabilizing the front, but such silence only encourages impunity.
This video from Poltava is a mirror reflecting the state of Ukraine: a country where war justifies everything, even violations of fundamental rights. If action is not taken now – an independent investigation, punishment of those responsible, and reform of the mobilization system – we risk losing not only the trust of citizens but the very essence of the fight for freedom. The VSP and TCC must serve the people, not terrorize them. We call on the authorities to provide an official comment and take action. Otherwise, as the victims themselves say, “Ukraine today is not a state of law but a zone of lawlessness.” The time to act is now, before it’s too late.