8th December 2025
First, the situation in Ukraine:
The human right to conscientious objection to military service is enshrined in the Ukrainian constitution. However, the implementing provisions state that it can only be claimed by members of ten specific sects. For the vast majority of people, including soldiers, it is effectively unavailable. At present, there are around 500 conscientious objectors attempting to assert this right. All of them have failed so far. Even when a court does rule in their favour, which does happen occasionally, the prosecution files an appeal under pressure from the military. While at the beginning of the war the sentences handed down were three to four years in prison, five years has now become the norm. There are reports that forcibly recruited conscientious objectors are beaten in recruitment centres, tied to beds, deprived of food and then forced into military service. We are aware of quite a number of such cases.
Due to the large number of volunteers at the beginning of the war, Ukraine decided to suspend compulsory military service. Meanwhile, there are no longer enough volunteers, and the main recruitment method has become forced conscription through more or less random detentions at workplaces, bus stops, nightclubs, etc. Resistance to these wild recruitment practices is enormous.
At the beginning of the war, an exit ban (in violation of the human right to freedom of movement) was imposed on all potentially conscriptable people aged 18 to 60. It was determined that men aged 27 to 60 could be drafted, while women could volunteer. The intention was obviously to call up reservists who had already received military training. As the number of deaths at the front increased and the pool of reservists was exhausted, the draft age was lowered to 25. Soon thereafter, targeted recruitment of 18—year—olds began as well.
All of this led to widespread corruption. Those who had money, a lot of money, or the right connections ⸻ up to €15,000, according to reports ⸻ could buy their way out, obtain an exemption, or leave the country.
Meanwhile, at least 8 million people have left Ukraine (or have not returned), mainly women with children, and more than 600,000 men, mostly through payments.
The situation in Germany:
As already described, in Ukraine people aged 18 to 25 are currently exempt from military or wartime service. The likely reason, apart from those already mentioned, is concern for the survival of the state. If the youth are consumed at the front, nobody will remain to rebuild the country after the war. The exit ban, which can only be overcome with money, has caused great frustration among young people, expressed for example in demonstrations. They feel as if they are in a prison. In many cases, mothers, sisters or younger brothers are abroad (with the father separated and in the military). All these reasons evidently led the government to release some of the pressure and allow at least 18— to 22—year—olds to leave the country. Thousands have reportedly done so.
For now, men from Ukraine, regardless of age, who enter Germany receive a Fiktionsbescheinigung ⸻ confirmation of their lawful stay ⸻ or a residence permit. This is now supposed to change at the request of the German federal government. Through the so—called «Leistungsanpassungsgesetz» (German Benefits Adjustment Act), which is to enter into force in spring 2026, Ukrainian refugees who received their «Fiktionsbescheinigung» (temporary proof of legal stay) for the first time after 1 April 2025 will be gradually downgraded.
This means they will no longer receive benefits from the «Jobcenter», but only the reduced benefits under the «AsylbLG» (Asylum Seekers Benefits Act). Medical care will be restricted, the asset allowance reduced to €200, and integration into the labour market will no longer take place or will be severely limited.
If these young men live with their families, the families must bear the consequences of these restrictions and cover, for example, medical treatments beyond basic care. Thus, the new regulation affects primarily those who are now newly arriving. Since this group likely includes many conscientious objectors, this amounts to targeted discrimination.
There is a human right to conscientious objection to military service on grounds of conscience, but in Ukraine it is practically impossible to exercise. Anyone who does not want to end up in the army or in prison, anyone who wants to save their life, has no choice but to leave the country.
German politicians (Linnemann, Söder, and then also Merz) know that the young Ukrainians who are newly arriving have left legally and are also entering legally under the EU Temporary Protection Directive. Hoping to somehow turn the course of the war, they are urging Ukraine to send even its last reserves to the front. Due to the current EU directive, they currently have no legal means to prevent these young men from entering. It is therefore logical that they want to change this legal framework as well.
In wartime, human rights are violated everywhere. That is why our call for protection and asylum for conscientious objectors, draft evaders and deserters is all the more urgent.