Russia Intensifies Recruitment in Occupied Ukraine, Raising Concerns of War Crimes

As the conflict in Ukraine grinds into its second year, Russia is increasingly relying on recruitment within occupied territories to bolster its forces, a practice condemned by international organizations as a war crime. With heavy casualties and a need for a constant influx of soldiers, Moscow's methods range from direct conscription to subtler forms of coercion, targeting vulnerable populations and even students.

Forced Conscription and Mobilization

Reports from various sources, including Human Rights Watch and Ukrainian officials, detail the forced conscription of Ukrainian civilians in occupied regions. In September 2022, following sham referendums, President Vladimir Putin declared the annexation of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions. Shortly after, Russian authorities began including these areas in their routine fall conscription campaigns.

Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) reported that Russia exceeded its mobilization goals in these regions in 2024, fulfilling the plan by 104%. While the exact number of Ukrainians drafted into the Russian military remains undisclosed, Bohdan Okhrimenko, head of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, confirmed that "thousands of people" were mobilized from newly occupied territories.

The consequences for those who refuse to serve can be dire. A lawyer familiar with the situation stated that those who resist conscription often face detention and torture. "They are in a desperate situation," the lawyer said, "They are being forced to fight against their own country."

Targeting Students and Youth

Beyond direct conscription, Russia is also engaging in recruitment tactics targeting younger populations in occupied territories. Security forces have reportedly increased visits to schools and colleges, promoting enrollment in military and law enforcement universities under the guise of "career guidance."

Ivan Stupak, adviser to Ukraine's national security committee, explained that security services view students as prime recruitment targets due to the ease of access and ability to select reliable candidates. In Berdiansk, students are already learning military skills, including rifle use.

Russia also promotes Yunarmiya, a militarized youth movement that trains children to handle weapons and act as war correspondents. In some schools, desks are even named after Russian soldiers, further promoting militarization and indoctrination.

Legal and Ethical Implications

Forcing residents of occupied territories to serve in the armed forces of the occupying power is a violation of international law and considered a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Article 51(2) of the Fourth Geneva Convention states that an occupying power cannot compel protected persons to serve in its armed or auxiliary forces.

Ukraine's foreign ministry has condemned Russia's mobilization campaign in the occupied regions, urging conscripts to "remember their lineage, their roots and not allow them to be mired in the crimes of the Kremlin regime." The ministry has called on Ukrainian citizens in occupied territories to avoid drafting at all costs and to leave such units at the first opportunity.

The Ukrainian government is also working on amending legislation to remove prisoner of war (POW) status from forcibly mobilized Ukrainians who are later captured in Ukraine. This reflects the complex legal and ethical questions surrounding the treatment of individuals forced to fight for the opposing side.

The Human Cost

The recruitment practices in occupied Ukraine have far-reaching consequences for individuals and communities. Families are torn apart as men are forced to fight against their own country. The long-term psychological impact on those forced to participate in hostilities is immeasurable.

Moreover, the recruitment of Ukrainians into the Russian military exacerbates the conflict and undermines the possibility of reconciliation. As Stupak warned, the indoctrination of teenagers may lead to a future where they fight against their own people if Ukraine attempts to retake these territories.

Russia's Mobilization Plans

These efforts to recruit soldiers in occupied territories are part of a broader mobilization strategy by Russia. Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, stated that Russia has no problems with staffing the troops and replenishing losses. In January 2025, they fulfilled their recruitment plans by 107%.

In 2025, Russia plans to add another 343,000 contract servicemen to the army. According to Skibitskyi, almost 80% of those recruited under contract are used to replenish combat losses. These measures involve offering high salaries and large down payments for signing contracts, particularly targeting individuals under investigation, in prison, or serving suspended sentences.

A Grim Outlook

Russia's intensified recruitment efforts in occupied Ukraine raise serious concerns about human rights violations and war crimes. The forced conscription of civilians, the targeting of youth, and the broader mobilization strategy contribute to the escalation of the conflict and undermine the prospects for a peaceful resolution. The international community must continue to condemn these practices and hold those responsible accountable for their actions. The future of Ukrainians living under occupation remains uncertain, as they face the constant threat of forced conscription and the devastating consequences of being drawn into a war against their will.