Jehovah’s Witnesses: UKRAINE — Conscientious Objection to Military Service on Religious Grounds

22nd April 2026

Picture: Gemini

The «Jehovah’s Witnesses» (JW) are a recognized religious organization in Ukraine. Since 2025, their members have been imprisoned for conscientious objection. Currently, 17 are in prison.

This constitutes a violation of Art. 35 of the Ukrainian Constitution, Art. 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights, and Art. 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ICCPR), as well as the EU accession project adopted by Ukraine on May 14, 2025, which includes the right to conscientious objection. Furthermore, it contradicts the Amicus Curiae decision of the Venice Commission: «The state may not use the need to ensure national security as the sole basis for restricting the exercise of the right of a person or group to practice their religion.»

DISRUPTION OF RELIGIOUS PRACTICE

Polonne, Zhytomyr Region: On February 11, 2025, conscription and police officers arrived at the place of worship on Lesi Ukrainky Street No. 171 after the service. They blocked the gates and demanded ID from the attendees. A week later, on February 18, 2025, they returned, causing fear among the congregants.

Stryi, Lviv Region: On May 22, 2025, a minivan with helmeted conscription officers drove to the place of worship on Dobrivlianska Street No. 74 after the service ended. They remained there for about 40 minutes.

Ivano-Frankivsk: Seven conscription officers drove to the place of worship on Nezaleshnosti Street No. 2 in Krykhivtsi on June 8, 2025, after the service. They demanded that two JWs of military age be brought to them, stating they would then leave. They acted aggressively and used obscene language. A conscription minivan is regularly seen near the place of worship, including at the Fedkovycha Street No. 36 location. Consequently, the JWs decided to hold their services via video conference.

RESTRICTIONS ON RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES

On August 14, 2025, the Prosecutor General’s Office informed all regional prosecutor’s offices about a Supreme Court ruling from June 13, 2024 (Case No. 601/249/22). It concerned the Adventist D. B. Zelinsky, whose pastor certified that his church does not reject military service without weapons.

The Supreme Court ruled that religious grounds are not a reason to reject mobilization orders or the duty to protect the state. Thus, unarmed service in the army was deemed acceptable for religious objectors. Anyone refusing it can be convicted under Art. 336 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code for «evasion of military service». The Prosecutor’s Office stated: «The right to practice a religion or belief is not absolute and can be restricted. The conscription of D. B. Zelinsky for military service via mobilization does not automatically mean he must carry weapons.»

This led to a sharp increase in proceedings against JWs, from 15 in August 2024 to 357 in February 2026.

On April 15, 2025, the Supreme Court of Ukraine ruled (Case No. 573/406/24) that the constitutionally guaranteed right to alternative (non-military) service is only possible in times of peace and is suspended in times of war.

ARBITRARY DETENTIONS AND BEATINGS

Since the start of the war on February 24, 2022, 2,800 JWs have been arbitrarily detained by conscription officers, and in over 2,100 cases, they were forcibly taken to military units.

Below are several of about 200 egregious examples committed by conscription authorities, military units, or their commanders.

Andrii Dutchak from Mala Liubasha: He refused to put on a uniform in a military unit on Sept. 1, 2025. Two soldiers took him aside, pulled his beard, pinned him down, and twisted him. One struck Andrii several times with his hand on the temple and back of the head, and caused blisters on Andrii’s legs and back by hitting him with a wooden stick. The soldier announced that all JWs should be destroyed. After being beaten, Andrii’s vision went black. He suffered severe headaches, ringing in the ears, dizziness, loss of balance, cold sweats, and vomiting. Medical help was refused; his requests went unanswered. The ambulance was denied access to him.

Viktor Savrak from Hanychi: On July 21, 2025, two police officers apprehended him on the street, grabbed his arms, forced him to the ground, prevented him from protecting his neck with his elbow, hit him twice on the head, and handcuffed him. Viktor informed them he was insulin-dependent and the sole provider for his mother, a Class II disabled person. He had insulin in his backpack, a medical report confirming his illness, a certificate stating he is a JW, and official confirmation of his mother’s disability. Police still took him to the conscription office (MCO), where medical staff performed a glucose test and confirmed he urgently needed an insulin injection. Nevertheless, staff denied him access to insulin and food. Viktor was taken to a military unit and only received insulin the next day.

Andrii Shkarnulis from Zaporizhia: Because he refused to put on a uniform and crawl on command on June 13, 2025, a grenade was placed under him as a «joke» in the military unit. It exploded, tearing his t-shirt and sweater and setting them on fire. Subsequently, he was dragged through grass and puddles and beaten with a stick. When he refused to accept weapons and take the oath, his civilian clothes were burned, forcing him to stay in his underwear for two days. Without clothes, he was forbidden from entering the dining hall. On July 27, 2025, at 2 a.m., a drunken sergeant, Vladyslav Mykolaiovych, struck him several times on the head and neck.

Andrii Fedorov from Lviv: Andrii, who had been discharged, was practicing his faith with others using a display with biblical literature on May 30, 2025. Without asking for his discharge documents, conscription officers forced him into a minivan. During the subsequent medical examination, officers insulted him for his religion, called him an «idiot», and slammed his head against the wall. While attempting to transport him to a military unit, his health deteriorated; an ambulance had to be called to take him to the hospital.

Taras Liashko and Valentyn Horb from Dnipro: On February 16, 2025, at the Hvardiyske military unit, Lieutenant Sheremet forced Valentyn to undress and stand in his underwear in freezing temperatures. The lieutenant then sprayed his underwear with green paint in front of assembled soldiers and threatened and humiliated him for about 15 minutes regarding his refusal to wear a military uniform.

The lieutenant struck Taras in the chest and face and shot at his legs with an air pistol. He did not allow them to sleep in the tent; instead, he gave them a shovel to dig a hole at 15 degrees below zero, leading to hypothermia. The next day, the lieutenant threw a long hunting knife toward Taras, damaging the wall near him. Taras suffered from high blood pressure (measured 220/110) and chest pains but received no medical help. After continued mistreatment during the seven-day course, they fled out of fear for their safety and are now in hiding.

Yuriy Papailo from Stryi: On March 1, 2025, at the conscription center, a lieutenant colonel kicked Yuriy several times in the legs, struck him repeatedly in the face, and insulted him for 10 to 15 minutes. He kicked him viciously, first in the spine, then repeatedly on his right foot; finally, he grabbed him by the back of the neck and pressed him against the door while humiliating him. The repeated blows caused various swellings and bleeding on Yuriy’s right leg. A soldier then struck Yuriy with his fists on his torso, legs, and head for another five minutes.

Ihor Semchuk from Sheptytskyi: On January 13, 2025, seven officers at the conscription center kicked and punched him in the face and chest, causing shortness of breath.

Ihor Hnativ from Lviv: On January 4, 2025, at the conscription center, Ihor was thrown into the hallway, beaten, and dragged into a vehicle to be taken to a military unit. His mouth was stuffed to prevent him from screaming. Criminal proceedings under Art. 336 of the Criminal Code were initiated against Ihor.

Vasyl Boyan from Ivano-Frankivsk: On January 31, 2025, Vasyl refused to be admitted as a soldier in the military unit. A conscription officer took him into a room and struck him on the head and other parts of his body. After Vasyl continued to refuse in the medical department, the same officer dragged him into a room, threw him onto a table, and continued to hit him on the head until another officer intervened.

Valentyn Poliovyi from Hlyboka: On December 1, 2024, Valentyn was severely beaten everywhere on his body and head with fists, kicks, and a metal duster by two officers at the conscription center. The beatings were accompanied by threats: «You will renounce your faith and serve in the army». Valentyn’s wife called the police several times; they came to the center but did nothing.

Vsevolod Dobrovinskyi from Rivne: On September 9, 2024, two conscription officers beat him because he refused to go to the training site. There, he was severely beaten again, causing shortness of breath, chest pain, and difficulty walking. In response to Vsevolod’s complaint, the head of the Rivne conscription center stated in a letter dated January 14, 2025: «Investigations into the actions of the conscription officer from Varash revealed no [procedural] violations».

ACCUSATION OF «EVASION OF MILITARY SERVICE»

To date, over 975 criminal investigations have been initiated against JWs under Art. 336 of the Criminal Code, with 357 cases tried by courts. The courts issued 66 convictions, 14 of which were upheld by appeals chambers and three by the Supreme Court.

From February 2022 to August 2024—the first two and a half years of the war—there were only 15 criminal proceedings for conscientious objection. Since August 2024, the number has jumped to 357.

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS IN PRISONS

Serhii Ivanushchenko from Bilopillia: On February 22, 2024, police initiated criminal proceedings under Art. 336 for military service evasion. On March 28, 2024, the Bilopillia District Court sentenced him to three years in prison. His appeals were rejected by both the chambers on November 13, 2024, and the Supreme Court on April 15, 2025. Serhii began his imprisonment on February 11, 2025.

Vitalii Kryushenko from Bilopillia: Police also initiated proceedings for evasion on February 9, 2024. On July 8, 2024, the Bilopillia District Court sentenced him to three years. The appeals chamber confirmed the sentence on December 5, 2024. He was imprisoned on January 26, 2025. However, the Supreme Court referred his case to the Joint Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court, which finally confirmed the verdict on October 27, 2025, but suspended the prison sentence (likely on «probation»). Vitalii was released the same day.

Andrii Khomenko from Okhtyrka: Police initiated proceedings on April 10, 2024. On July 26, 2024, the Okhtyrka District Court sentenced him to three years. The appeals court confirmed the verdict on December 23, 2024. The Supreme Court scheduled the hearing for September 25, 2025. Andrii began his sentence on February 3, 2025.

Serhii Nechuaiuk from Khmelnytskyi: Police initiated proceedings on July 27, 2023. On December 10, 2024, the court sentenced him to three years. The appeals chamber confirmed the verdict on February 17, 2025. The Supreme Court hearing was set for August 21, 2025. Serhii began his imprisonment on April 1, 2025.

Vitalii Popov from Kharkiv: Police initiated proceedings on April 5, 2023. On September 25, 2024, the Kharkiv City Court sentenced him to three years. The appeals chamber confirmed the verdict on March 2, 2025. The Supreme Court has not yet set a hearing date. Vitalii began his imprisonment on June 6, 2025.

ACCUSATION OF «MILITARY CRIMES»

Since the second half of 2024, conscription centers began categorizing conscientious objectors as «soldiers.» This allows them to be charged with «military offenses» under the Criminal Code, such as «disobedience» (Art. 402(4)) or «unauthorized absence» (Art. 407(5)). 67 cases were reported, 28 reached the courts, of which 25 were released on bail and six remained in custody.

Anatolii Paun from Chernivtsi: Anatolii refused to put on a uniform in a military unit. He was beaten, and his clothes were forcibly removed. He had to spend several days in a cell wearing only his underwear. He received no food. Soldiers then forcibly dressed him in a military uniform and tied his hands so he could not remove it. His hands remained tied during the night while guarded by several soldiers. Finally, proceedings were initiated against him as a «soldier» for «disobedience» (Art. 402). The court imposed pretrial detention with the possibility of release on bail of 90,840 Hryvnia (€1,900). With help from friends, he paid the bail.

Oleksandr Radashko from Ivano-Frankivsk: Criminal proceedings for an alleged military crime were initiated against him on February 26, 2025. The court sentenced him to pretrial detention with the possibility of release upon payment of 211,000 Hryvnia (€4,400). Besides the unreasonably high bail, he was ordered to return to the conscription office and follow military orders. Oleksandr chose to remain in prison. The next court date was set for July 18, 2025. He remained in prison until October 1, when the court lifted the condition that he report to the conscription center and follow military orders. Nevertheless, the trial continues.

Vladyslav T. from Cherkasy: On January 24, 2025, proceedings for a «military crime» were initiated, and pretrial detention was imposed with bail set at 242,000 Hryvnia (€5,000). Vladyslav’s family received financial support from others to pay the bail.

NEGATIVE MEDIA COVERAGE

Since September 2024, over 70 online articles have been published in Ukraine showing a biased perspective from military personnel and lawyers, with excerpts from court decisions claiming JWs are «bypassing» mobilization as conscientious objectors and have no right to alternative service during martial law. To address the human rights violations against JWs in Ukraine, they have approached numerous institutions both in Ukraine and internationally; however, Ukrainian institutions specifically rejected proposed meetings.

POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS

The Venice Commission sent its previously cited Amicus Curiae decision of March 14/15, 2025, to the Constitutional Court of Ukraine.

On October 27, 2025, the Supreme Court of Ukraine replaced Vitalii Kryushenko’s three-year prison sentence with a one-year suspended sentence. He was released the same day.

Two judges published a dissenting opinion on his conviction. They stated: «The court should not have classified his (Vitalii’s) action as a punishable evasion of military duty during mobilization, but as the exercise of his right to conscientious objection. The state has failed to fulfill the conditions of such service by law, which is a positive obligation under Article 35 of the Constitution of Ukraine, Article 9 of the Convention, and Article 18 of the Agreement regarding the replacement of military service with a (non-military) alternative service.»

European Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses: Ukraine. Oct 25. Updated with Addendum from Feb 20, 26. Selection and translation: fn

Keywords:    ⇒ Conscientious Objection   ⇒ Conscription   ⇒ Draft Evasion   ⇒ Forced Recruitment   ⇒ Human Rights   ⇒ Jugdement   ⇒ Recruitment   ⇒ Soldiers   ⇒ Ukraine