Ukraine has recently dropped the conscription age from 27 to 25, increased fines for draft dodgers to half the average monthly wage and ordered embassies to stop renewing passports for Ukrainian men living abroad. All of this is part of an effort to get them to return home — and bolster the military's ranks as the war enters its third summer.
New laws require Ukrainian men between 18 and 60 to update their draft data with military conscription centres inside the country — including Dmytro, who has been living in Canada for 18 months.
As a result, emotions are running high among those who fled the war and those on the front lines who feel abandoned.
There are plenty of folks born and raised in the west who would gladly fight as long as they can be supported. They want to stand up for morality and democracy.
Methinks Canada should financially sponsor Canadian fighters who choose to go to Ukraine.