Russia talks of drafting troops

by Clara Graf

---

Since the invasion of Ukraine in February, the war between Russia and Ukraine has escalated. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently announced a partial mobilization of the military which would draft up to 300,000 citizens.

This event happening surprised a lot of people. On the one hand, it means that Putin is not in a good position anymore and needs more help from Russian citizens. On the other hand, it means fear for a lot of normal citizens in Russia who certainly not want to be involved in the war. A consequence will be that people are gonna flee to other countries. That´s not going to be as easy as previously thought, though, because of the amount of Ukraine’s already fleeing.

So how is all this going to develop ?

I had an interview with one of my old teammates who came to Berlin from Ukraine one year before the war started because of family reasons. Her name is Taijssa, she is 16 and currently living in Berlin with her parents and her boyfriend.

Tajissa said the night it all began, she could not sleep because she was fearful and she couldn´t stop thinking about her loved ones. At that point, her boyfriend was still living in the Ukraine. But because of the following attacks from Russia army, especially young men, had to join the Ukrainian army. Tajissa's boyfriend was 17 at that time, so he was able to join the army; of course, his parents didn´t want him to go, so they sent him of alone to go and live in Berlin with Tajissa.

She said it was very uncomfortable in the beginning, especially with her parents, but they are all happy now, according to the her.

Tajissa helped from Berlin what she could together with her parents she also was part of the campaign my old team “ALBA Berlin” started to raise money for the fleeing people.

She hopes that this big nightmare will soon have an end, and I think so do we all!