Ukraine protests Russia’s forced mobilization in occupied territories

The ministry noted that such actions violate the Geneva Conventions and urged Ukrainian citizens to avoid the autumn conscription into the Russian Armed Forces.

According to the Geneva Conventions, which protect civilians during conflicts, the occupying power is prohibited from compelling residents of occupied territories to serve in its armed forces. It is also forbidden to pressure the population or conduct propaganda to encourage voluntary enlistment.

The ministry has called on Ukrainians to avoid forced conscription into the Russian army. For those who have already fallen victim to the coercive mobilization, it advises leaving their units and returning to Ukraine or moving to third countries at first opportunity.

In the case of conscripts being deployed to fight against Ukraine, the ministry recommended utilizing Kyiv’s I Want to Live hotline to arrange a safe surrender on the battlefield.

On Sept. 30, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin signed a decree for the autumn conscription into the Russian military, increasing the number of conscripts compared to 2023.

In June 2024, the Russian parliament raised the upper age limit for conscription to 30 years, up from 27. Consequently, the number of conscripted Russian troops is expected to increase by more than 2 million in a few years.