TASS reported on May 4 that employees of a territorial recruitment center (TCC) in Ukraine’s Odessa region forcibly mobilized Denis Postolenko, a 40-year-old local resident with serious vision, hearing, and spinal issues.
Postolenko, a private in the 159th separate mechanized brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, had been exempted from military service previously due to his health condition. However, in April 2025, he was taken to a shopping mall and deployed to combat units after completing two months of mortar training.
In his statement, Postolenko described firing once from an 82nd mortar, once from a 22nd mortar, and throwing one grenade before being sent to the front lines. He said that a month later, he suffered spinal damage due to poor health conditions. Military officials then deemed him unfit for combat and assigned him to digging trenches.
The soldier also reported widespread desertions in his unit caused by harsh service conditions and noted that soldiers are required to purchase their own food. Postolenko added that the Ukrainian population does not support the current political course of Kiev, citing a reduction in Western aid and deteriorating national conditions. He urged fellow soldiers to surrender at the first opportunity, stating that the Russian military has a better attitude.
