Ukraine draft unrest rises as Russian fuel crisis hits exports
Surging violence against Ukrainian conscription officers and a deepening Russian fuel crisis highlight the growing domestic pressures on both sides of a war central to European security.
Ukraine has opened a criminal investigation after roughly 200 civilians surrounded and overturned an army conscription vehicle in Lviv. Prosecutors said a police officer who arrived to calm the crowd was also attacked. Two criminal proceedings have been initiated for obstructing the armed forces and using violence against law enforcement.
The unrest underscores a mounting mobilisation crisis that directly threatens Ukraine's ability to sustain its defence, a matter of urgent concern for European capitals providing military and financial aid. Authorities reported over 100 clashes with conscription officers this year alone, a stark rise from just five cases in 2022 and 341 last year. The violence reflects deepening public fatigue over mandatory service for men aged 25 and older.
Lviv mayor Andriy Sadovy warned the incident could "instantly (become) a tool for hostile propaganda." "Russia today is most interested in getting Ukrainians to start fighting among themselves," Sadovy said on Telegram. "All those who broke the law must be held accountable."
Energy strikes squeeze Russian supply
Meanwhile, Russia is grappling with a domestic fuel crisis triggered by Ukrainian long-range drone strikes on energy infrastructure. The retaliatory campaign has heavily targeted oil depots and refineries. More than 90% of Russian regions have introduced petrol and diesel rationing or reported shortages since June.
The supply shock has forced Moscow, a leading global oil producer, to ban certain fuel exports. For European economies, the internal Russian chaos removes some marginal supply from global markets, adding a layer of pricing volatility at a time when governments are already navigating tight energy transitions.
US President Donald Trump appeared to endorse the drone strikes on Wednesday. "It's an escalation, but it's also an escalation that can help lead to an end," Trump said during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The Kremlin rejected the notion that military pressure would yield concessions. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that further escalation could prolong the conflict and prompt Moscow to respond by "creating a larger security zone," signalling an intent to seize more eastern Ukrainian territory.
