Ukraine is taking an increasingly three-pronged approach in its search for military personnel. Tom Murrath, a Wilrijk entrepreneur with a business in the eastern city of Kharkov, experienced this from the front row. He saw soldiers armed and masked invade a restaurant. He also has to choose which of his employees can be called up and which cannot.

From Ukraine there are increasing stories of civilians being picked off the streets and sent to the army. In the first months of the war, it was still raining volunteers to enlist out of patriotism. Almost two years later, that pond has dried up. Those who wanted to fight, meanwhile, either did so or were wounded or killed. Those sitting at home today have little desire to take up arms. But Ukraine also needs to replenish its men. Tom Murrath (63) sees how army recruitment works.

“Thursday night I stepped outside a restaurant in downtown Kyiv and bumped into 20 heavily armed and balaclava-clad soldiers,” says the Antwerp entrepreneur. “It looked like there was a dangerous terrorist somewhere in the establishment. Once they were inside, all customers and staff were given a paper to sign up in a recruiting office. From there it goes to medical inspection and less than a week later the training begins.”

According to Murrath, the Ukrainian military recruits all over the country. In subway stations, in stores, at bus stops and thus also in restaurants. “Lately, they have been raiding sports clubs and fitness centers in particular. There is a lot less chance that those guys are not medically fit. Sometimes the army also visits businesses. Early this month, one of my co-workers was at a construction site in the city of Lviv. There was no concrete, because the army had invaded the concrete company and given everyone a summons letter.”