Russia forcibly mobilized thousands of Ukrainians from temporarily occupied territories: what international law says

The Russian Federation has forcibly mobilized Ukrainians in temporarily occupied territories, which is a violation of international law. Since the beginning of the armed conflict, from February 2022 to July 2025, 46,327 Ukrainians have been mobilized. These actions are a gross violation of the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit the forced mobilization of the population in occupied territories.

In addition, the Russian authorities are recruiting children into paramilitary organizations, such as the “Youth Army”, which is of serious concern to the international community. The Ukrainian authorities are actively working to rescue children from temporarily occupied territories and are calling on adults who find themselves in occupation to avoid conscription and mobilization into the Russian army in every way. These actions underscore the need to protect human rights and respect international humanitarian law in times of armed conflict.

The problem of forced mobilization of Ukrainians in the occupied territories is a serious concern among international organizations that call for compliance with international law. Violations of human rights and the involvement of children in hostilities emphasize the importance of international cooperation to ensure the security and protection of the population in conflict zones.

Further actions by the Ukrainian authorities and the international community may be decisive in the fight for respect for human rights and an end to violence against civilians.