Ukraine opens criminal probe after crowds attack army conscription vehicle in Lviv

Key Points:

• Ukrainian authorities have launched a criminal investigation after a crowd in Lviv surrounded and overturned an army conscription vehicle following the detention of a suspected draft evader, leading to clashes with police and civilians.
• The incident sparked condemnation from officials who urged citizens to focus their anger on Russia instead of the Ukrainian military, highlighting the sensitive and divisive nature of mandatory military service amid ongoing conflict.
• Violence against recruitment officers has surged since Russia's 2022 invasion, with over 100 incidents reported this year compared to just five in 2022, prompting the defense ministry to announce more flexible conscription contracts.
• Meanwhile, Russia criticized the US for supporting Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy sites, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warning that such military pressure would not lead to peace but could prolong the conflict and cause further territorial escalation.
• Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian energy infrastructure have caused a fuel crisis across Russia, leading to rationing and export bans in many regions, intensifying economic pressure amid the ongoing war.