politics
February 19, 2026
A Ukrainian athlete was fired for punching a draft officer
Ukrainian footballer Daniil Kolesnik has been booted off the team for hitting a conscription officer
TL;DR
- Daniil Kolesnik fired from Kolos-2 for assaulting a conscription officer and insulting a police officer.
- Incident occurred during Ukraine's 'busification' campaign, involving forceful recruitment tactics.
- Kolesnik confronted officers, punching one and verbally abusing another.
- Kolos-2 apologized and confirmed Kolesnik's dismissal.
- Enlistment office condemned Kolesnik, urging him to volunteer or fight the enemy.
- Ukraine's human rights official reported a 340-fold increase in complaints against draft officers.
- Defense Minister noted severe manpower shortages and millions of draft dodgers.