Russian Federation

The RSF militia is committing genocide in Darfur in western Sudan, in the course of its civil war with Sudan's military rulers. The RSF is armed by the UAE, a western ally in the Gulf which receives huge arms supplies from France, the US, the UK and others. UK military equipment sold to the UAE has been found in the hands of the RSF. The UK and other countries must stop arming UAE now and make concerted efforts to end the war and the genocide.

War Resisters’ International, in collaboration with Connection e.V., is organising a side event during the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council. The event will focus on the right to conscientious objection in times of war with contributions of conscientious objectors from Russia, Ukraine and Israel, alongside experts from international organisations.

On 3rd July 2025, peace campaigners from around the UK held an online discussion with Russian conscientious objectors (COs) who are refusing to fight in the war in Ukraine. This online event brought together four Russian COs, coordinated by a contact in Georgia who works with several NGOs to support COs, along with British peace campaigners working to raise awareness about their struggles.

On the occasion of International Conscientious Objection Day, we are sharing the voices of conscientious objectors from around the world — individuals who have taken a stand against war and militarism by refusing to serve in the armed forces.

On March 3rd Connection e.V and WRI hosted the webinar "Three years after the start of the war in Ukraine" where activists from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine shared how's the current situation in their countries regarding conscription and the situation of Conscientious Objection to military service. The presentations are available to watch and share now.

On February 23rd, a protest took place at Kudirki Square in Vilnius, organized by Belarusian organizations in exile, including WRI's affiliate Our House, along with other initiatives. The demonstration gathered around 25–30 participants who expressed their strong opposition to the presence of Russian foreign military bases in Belarus.

Three years ago, Russia attacked Ukraine, resulting in devastating consequences. Yet, there are also hundreds of thousands of individuals in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine who have refused to participate in the war. What is the state of their right to conscientious objection? What about their protection? Join us in this discussion with peace activists and campaigners from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. 

On 16 February 2023, in the resolution ‘One year of Russia’s invasion and war of aggression against Ukraine’, the EU Parliament demanded that Member States provide protection for conscientious objectors and deserters fleeing Belarus, Russia, and occupied Ukraine. However, this is not guaranteed in most Member States.

Military officials deny many young men Alternative Civilian Service (ACS), rather than military service, despite their demonstrating their pacifist convictions. A Krasnoyarsk Region court fined Baptist conscientious objector Zakhar Asmalovsky three weeks' average wages in November 2024. He is appealing against the conviction. German Strelkov, another Baptist, is on his fourth round of legal proceedings to try to realise his right to conscientious objection.

The following list includes individuals who have been imprisoned for their nonviolent resistance to war and conscientious objection to military service.

Russia has started its autumn 2024 military recruitment campaign, aiming to enlist 133,000 men, many of whom are expected to be deployed to the ongoing war in Ukraine. This would be the second routine recruitment campaign since the maximum age was raised from 27 to 30 years.

Oops, what are Berlin ad posters doing in Helsinki? And why are they campaigning for asylum for conscientious objectors? The "adbusted" posters are calling for asylum for conscientious objectors from Belarus and Russia.