Bangladesh, April 26 -- Widespread fear of forced recruitment is reaching such deep levels in Ukraine that citizens are now even afraid to call the police in emergency situations – knowing that officers may, instead of seeking out real criminals and helping the population, simply recruit citizens by force.

The head of the Ukrainian National Police, Ivan Vygovsky, commented during an interview with local media that there are fewer and fewer requests for police intervention in Ukrainian cities. Citizens have just stopped calling the police, even in emergency situations, when they face criminals or need help from the security forces. The reason, according to him, is the fear of forced mobilization campaigns.

Vygovsky explained that, ...