KYIV: In a move that sent shockwaves internally, one of Ukraine`s most celebrated writers and poets, Sergiy Zhadan announced on Thursday that he had joined the military. The armed forces of Ukraine are seeking to `bolster their ranks`, after more than two years of conflict.

The 49-year-old novelist and poet, whose books have been widely translated, posted a picture showing him in camouflage and kneeling infront of an automatic rifle. `I joined the ranks of the 13th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, Chartia. I am undergoing training. I serve the people of Ukraine,` he stated on social media.

His announcement comes at a time when the Ukrainian military has been working to replenish its ranks, specifically after Kyiv introduced `new mobilisation legislation`, designed to help lift army numbers.

Zhadan, studied in the Kharkiv region where Russian forces recently launched a ground offensive and has `close connections` with the brigade that mainly operates in the eastern border territory.

Despite Kharkiv coming under intense fire from Russian troops, Zhadan remained putwhen it seemed the city `could be seized in by Russian forces`, during the first months of the war.

In 2022, Zhadan told reporters` before a reading in Kyiv, that the Kremlin`s decision to invade meant `those outside the country must pick a side`. `People must clearly position themselves: either you support the aggressor, or you support Ukraine`.

`Solider sentenced` A former Ukrainian soldier, who sent the location of sensitive military targets to Russia, has been sentenced to five years in jail, according to Ukrainian prosecutors.

Ukraine has detained `thousands of people` on `suspicion of collaborating with Russiantroops`, since the war began in February 2022.

Many of those whom have been detained belong to the east and south of the country.

Prosecutors in the northeast Kharkiv region said that the man (whom they did not name), allegedly contacted a `representative of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB)` using the Signal messaging app.

He then went on to send the `FSB` the `positions of soldiers and milit ary equipment` in the Kharkiv region and southern Mykolaiv region, they added.

`The enemy needed this information to conduct targeted air strikes on Ukrainian defenders,` the prosecutors allege The man was detained near the frontline town of Kupiansk and `fully admitted his guilt`, they added.-AFP