Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky labelled Russia's desire to recruit 134,000 more troops in its spring recruitment drive a "silly joke", during his daily address on Saturday (April 2). Mr Zelensky likened the action to an April Fool's Day gag, and warned potential troops and their families what could lay in store should they end up on the front line.
"This day, April 1, the occupiers decided to mark with two equally silly jokes," he said. "One such joke is about people in Russia. They started the spring conscription, which looks traditional, but is still different from the usual. Because this year's conscripts can be sent to war against our state, against our people. So, this is a guaranteed death for many very young guys.
"And although they are not our citizens, although they are citizens of the state that is at war with us on our land, it is still our duty as people to warn.
