By Wendell Steavenson with Anastasiia Parafeniuk
In June 2023 Taras, a 35-year-old project manager at the Kyiv School of Economics, was stopped by military recruitment officers as he was walking in a park in Kyiv and handed his mobilisation papers. Within a day and a half he was ordered to report to a training centre. Inna Sovsun, his ex-wife, was shocked by the speed and arbitrariness of the summons. They shared custody of their son, Martyn, now ten years old, and she suddenly found herself a single parent.
Explore more
More from 1843 magazine
1843 magazine | How to get rich (Taylor’s version)
Think you know the story of how Taylor Swift took on the music industry? The reality is more complicated
1843 magazine | Secrets of a ransomware negotiator
When the gangs of the dark web come, most people panic. This man runs rings around them
1843 magazine | The cruise that will get you chased by the Chinese coastguard
China is bullying its rivals in the South China Sea. For some tourists, that makes it a perfect holiday destination
1843 magazine | Marwan Barghouti, the world’s most important prisoner
There’s one Palestinian who could help end the conflict. He’s in an Israeli jail
1843 magazine | How the Proud Boys are prepping for a second Trump term
They led the charge on the Capitol. What next?
1843 magazine | Donald Trump: messiah or naughty boy?
After an assassination attempt, many Republicans see their nominee as the resurrection and the life