Deserters and
conscientious objectors
from Russia, Belarus
and Ukraine
need our support!

We are an alliance of civil society organizations. Together, we condemn Russia’s war of aggression on Ukraine, which violates international law and has already led to hundreds of thousands of deaths and injuries as well as millions of refugees.

We stand in solidarity with all people who campaign against war. War is a crime against humanity. Many people from Russia and Belarus, but also from Ukraine, who are threatened with military service, are trying to avoid it: they don’t want to kill other people and they don’t want to die in this war. Soldiers on the front line want to lay down their weapons in the face of horror. They all face repression and prison sentences for doing so, in Belarus even the death penalty. But: 

Conscientious objection is
an internationally recognized
human right!

more information . . .

REPORT • CONNECTION e.V. ON TOUR THROUGH AUSTRIA AND GERMANY!

At the end of October, «Connection e.V.» carried out an intensive tour through Austria and Germany. Thanks to the support of our colleagues, we were able to organise events in a total of eight cities.

During the meetings, Artem Klyga, our Eastern Europe Coordinator, spoke together with his colleagues from the Russian Â«Movement of Conscientious Objectors» (also known as the «Stoparmy Movement»), the lawyers Sasza Belik and Katja Dikowskaja. We engaged with a wide variety of audiences ⸻ from students and peace activists to politicians and legal professionals ⸻ discussing:

⸻ how the situation of conscientious objectors is developing,

⸻ how Russian legislation and administrative practice have changed,

⸻ whether deserters and conscientious objectors can obtain protection in Europe and what decisions migration authorities and courts are making,

⸻ and what objectors can expect after the end of the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Many thanks to everyone who attended, asked questions, joined the discussions, shared their experiences, and supported us.

A special thank you goes to our colleagues in Vienna, Idstein, Stetten, Offenburg, Mainz, Hamburg, Bremen, and Rostock for their help in organising the events.

We continue our work ⸻ together. And we look forward to seeing you at our next events!

PRESS RELEASE • EASING OF TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS IN UKRAINE

Söder and Linnemann Call for Actions Contrary to International Law

With the start of the Russian attack, the Ukrainian government imposed a travel ban on all men between the ages of 18 and 60. Since then, leaving the country has only been possible with special permission. This constitutes a violation of the human right to freedom of movement.

Since the end of August 2025, men aged 18 to 22 have been allowed to leave the country. Many are taking advantage of this opportunity. Among them are presumably many conscientious objectors. Although the Constitution guarantees them the human right to conscientious objection, in practice there is no procedure for this. Applications are not accepted, are arbitrarily rejected, and even explicit recognitions are not taken into account. Instead, more and more are forcibly recruited, ending up in prisons or in the military. Consequently, young Ukrainians who are liable for military service and want to refuse to serve have no other option but to leave the country.

Now Bavarian Minister President Markus Söder (CSU) says in «Bild»: Â«It doesn’t help anyone if more and more young men come to Germany from Ukraine instead of defending their own homeland». He says Â«Ukrainian soldiers are also needed to defend their own country». He therefore calls on the EU and Berlin to Â«put pressure on Ukraine to change the relaxed exit regulations again».

He receives support from CDU Secretary General Carsten Linnemann in «Stern»: Â«That is why it is not right that many young men in particular are leaving Ukraine».

Freedom of movement and the right to conscientious objection are protected by the European Convention on Human Rights (Article 2 Part 2 of the Protocol No. 4 of the ECHR and Article 9 of the ECHR). This is binding international law.

«Connection e.V.» misses a commitment by German and EU politicians to uphold human rights, not only in Ukraine, but also here. No one may be forced to perform military service against their will or conscience. The human rights to freedom of movement and conscientious objection must not be sacrificed to war. Young people are not cannon fodder; they must not be used up in war ⸻ conscientious objectors have the law on their side.