Far from the chaos of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Dmytro, a non-binary individual who uses they/them pronouns, had found refuge in Winnipeg. Here, they lead a simple life, working at a local supermarket as a baker and enjoying volleyball with fellow Ukrainians. Despite the safety and acceptance they experience in Canada, Dmytro remains deeply aware of the stark difference in attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals in their home country.
Speaking to CBC, Dmytro expressed immense relief living in Canada, where their identity is respected and accepted. Reflecting on their experiences in Ukraine, Dmytro stated, “You’re going to be looked upon as a person who is weak, a person who is afraid, the person who is working [for] their enemy.”
Dmytro’s views are validated by today’s events from Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, where Ukrainian nationalists attacked an LGBTQ+ Pride Parade, while accusing its participants of being “the hand of Kremlin” and stated that the Pride was organized by Russia.
Intensified Conscription Efforts in Ukraine
The Ukrainian government’s recent measures to intensify conscription efforts have exacerbated the dire situation in the country. These efforts include lowering the conscription age from 27 to 25, increasing fines for draft evasion, and instructing embassies to stop renewing passports for men abroad. These stringent measures aim to bolster the military ranks as the conflict drags into its third summer.
Under the new regulations, all Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60, including Dmytro who had been in Canada for the past 18 months, are required to update their draft information with local military conscription centers. This has heightened anxiety and fear among both those who fled the conflict and those who remain in Ukraine.
Social Media Sheds Light on Conscription Practices
In their modest basement apartment, Dmytro often watches disturbing videos on social media depicting chaotic conscription scenes from Ukraine. One such video shows men in military fatigues attempting to force another man into a police car, a scenario Dmytro fears could become their reality. These videos, while often unverified, frequently portray military officials allegedly apprehending men to send them to recruitment centers.
A recruitment center in Kyiv confirmed that its staff, along with national police, were involved in such actions, stating they were lawfully identifying individuals evading military duty. “We do hear the constant screams of women all around, trying to protect this civilian who they don’t know,” Dmytro recounted. “They’re seeing their sons, they’re seeing their fathers, they’re seeing their husbands [in] his place, because no one is really safe [from conscription].”
Personal and Political Discontent
Dmytro’s reasons for avoiding the conflict are multifaceted. Besides the inherent dangers, they doubt Ukraine’s ability to reclaim its territory solely through military means and believe that aggression only begets more aggression. Being non-binary also played a role in Dmytro’s decision, as they never felt fully accepted in Ukraine. “I never saw Ukraine as the place where I could be fully accepted,” they said. “I love the country, but I never loved the government.”
Without proper military registration, Dmytro faces challenges in renewing their Ukrainian passport, which complicates maintaining legal residency in Canada. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires a valid passport for residency applications but may consider exceptional circumstances on a case-by-case basis. However, IRCC did not provide specific comments regarding Ukraine’s conscription laws.
Distrust in the Ukrainian Government
Distrust towards the Ukrainian government is common among Ukrainians in Dmytro’s community. Kateryna, a coworker at the Winnipeg supermarket, shared her own experiences, knowing people sent to the front lines, including a childhood friend still fighting and an ex-boyfriend who was killed. She highlighted widespread disillusionment with the government, citing corruption and resource mismanagement.
“A lot of help for Ukraine, Ukraine didn’t get. So government get it and put it in the pocket,” Kateryna stated to CBC.
A notable incident in 2022 saw General Motors donate SUVs for humanitarian purposes, only for one to be used as a personal car by a high-ranking official. Public outcry eventually led to the vehicle’s return, but the incident left a lasting impression of governmental corruption.
Russia’s recent incursion in Ukraine’s Kharkiv Oblast also demonstrated a high level of corruption, as Ukrainian soldiers and witnesses on the ground reported that defensive fortifications were not built despite government officials’ earlier statements.
Ongoing Support from Western Countries
Amidst these internal challenges, Western nations, including Canada, continue to provide substantial financial aid to Ukraine. Recently, Canada pledged an additional $5 billion in support, underscoring Canada’s commitment to aiding Ukraine.