You're reading: Ukrainian military deny rumors about forced call-up

The press center for the Ukrainian anti-terrorist operation (ATO) has denied reports about a forced call-up for military service disseminated in Kharkiv on July 31.

“On July 31 Russian special services resorted to other information attacks on the Ukrainian society,” the ATO press center reported on its Facebook page on July 31.

Some people said on social networking sites on July 31 that armed men wearing masks detained men aged between 18 and 60 in shops, at public transport stops, and even on beaches in Kharkiv and took them to military centers to be sent to the military operation zone immediately.

The reports also said the Ukrainian authorities intend to close the border to prevent men who are citizens of Ukraine from leaving the country, and also go door-to-door to find such men.

The purpose of these rumors is “to destabilize public order,” the press center said.

“This rumor is based on alleged facts that young men of conscription age are seized in the streets, on trains and busses by police officers and the military and are sent to war,” the report says.

The press center denied that information, calling it “a lie and a provocation.”

“Any events associated with call-up for military service are clearly regulated by legislation,” the report says.