Tetiana Zaitseva, 68, said her son Artem Zaitsev, 44, died shortly after being taken to a territorial recruitment center in Kryvyi Rig following his detention by police and military personnel during the night of May 4-5, 2024.

Ukrainian authorities have attributed his death to a medical episode linked to a heart condition. Zaitseva disputes that finding and says injuries sustained while in custody contributed to his death.

The case has drawn attention as Ukraine continues mandatory military mobilization introduced after Russia’s 2022 invasion. While reported incidents involving violence against conscripts represent a small fraction of overall call-ups, complaints have increased as the conflict has evolved into a prolonged war of attrition.

According to information documented through official announcements and media reports, at least 30 Ukrainians have died after mobilization since September 2023. Most cases involved pre-existing medical conditions, while four individuals died by suicide and two were reported to have been beaten.

Videos circulating on social media have also shown recruitment personnel forcibly detaining men for military service, fueling public criticism of enlistment practices. At the same time, recruitment officers have increasingly become targets of violence. Police data show three recruiters have been killed since 2022 and more than 600 attacks on recruitment centers have been recorded.

Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who took office in January, has pledged what he described as major changes to the mobilization system amid concerns over enforcement methods and public trust.

A Ukrainian officer serving on the front line told AFP that responsibility for mobilization should rest with police rather than military personnel and called for tougher penalties against corruption within the recruitment process.

Cases involving officials accused of issuing draft exemptions in exchange for bribes have further undermined confidence in the system, according to observers and polling data.

Zaitseva said she visited her son at the recruitment center shortly before his death and observed injuries to his face, including bruising and swollen lips. She said he assured her he was well enough at the time.
A second medical examination conducted at her request roughly 16 months after his death found evidence of non-fatal injuries, including broken ribs, that investigators said were sustained at the recruitment center.

A criminal case initially opened under a murder classification was later closed without further action before being reopened in February following an appeal by Zaitseva.

The case has been widely circulated by Russian media outlets and by Ukrainian blogger Myroslav Oleshko, who left Ukraine after seeking to avoid military service. Ukrainian investigative outlet Bihus criticized such coverage, arguing that some actors were using legitimate grievances to advance political or propaganda objectives.

Despite concerns over information manipulation, public dissatisfaction with recruitment practices remains significant. Oleksii Antypovych, director of polling firm Rating Group, said survey data indicate that more than 70% of Ukrainians are dissatisfied with recruitment authorities.

Antypovych said public frustration could deepen unless reforms are implemented to improve transparency and accountability within the mobilization process.

Standing beside her son’s grave near her home in Kryvyi Rig, Zaitseva said she continues to seek answers about the circumstances surrounding his death and wants those responsible, if any wrongdoing is established, to be held accountable.

The gunman, described as having been born in Moscow and previously residing in eastern Ukraine, opened fire with a registered weapon near a supermarket in the capital on Saturday.

Authorities have not disclosed a motive.Public anger has intensified in the aftermath, particularly following reports that two law enforcement officers since suspended fled the scene. The incident has prompted renewed calls from some politicians and citizens for broader access to firearms for self-defense.

Oleksandra Ustinova, a member of parliament’s domestic security committee, said the attack underscored vulnerabilities in public protection, writing on social media that more needed to be done to address security realities.Ukraine maintains tight controls on civilian firearms.

Handguns are effectively prohibited, while licenses for other weapons, such as hunting rifles, are granted under strict conditions. Fewer than 10 percent of households possess a firearm, according to estimates by the Switzerland-based Small Arms Survey, which has also reported that Russia’s 2022 invasion did not significantly increase civilian gun ownership.

At the outset of the invasion, authorities distributed thousands of small arms to civilians but later reimposed tighter controls and increased seizures, according to the group.

Debate over reform has persisted since parliament approved draft legislation regulating civilian firearm possession and use for self-defense on the eve of the February 2022 invasion, though the bills remain unpassed.

Igor Fris, a lawmaker involved in drafting the legislation, said the recent shooting might have been deterred if civilians were permitted to carry weapons, arguing that potential attackers could be discouraged by the prospect of armed bystanders.

However, he acknowledged that Ukraine’s wartime conditions and heightened public stress would necessitate a phased approach to any policy change.Interior Minister Igor Klymenko said discussions on firearm regulation would be revisited following the incident.

Opposition to loosening restrictions remains firm among some lawmakers. Inna Sovsun, a member of parliament, questioned the rationale for expanding access to weapons when the firearm used in the attack had been legally registered, emphasizing concerns about increased risks to public safety.

Public opinion appears mixed. Surveys cited by the Small Arms Survey indicate that while a significant portion of Ukrainian men without firearms express interest in owning one, concerns over safety, regulation and enforcement persist, particularly as the country continues to navigate the pressures of ongoing conflict.