Supreme Court: Jehovah’s Witnesses Not Exempt from Military Duty During Wartime

The Supreme Court of Ukraine upheld a three-year prison sentence for a man who, citing his affiliation with Jehovah’s Witnesses, failed to report to the military enlistment office after receiving a summons. The Court ruled that during martial law, religious beliefs do not justify complete refusal of military service. The ruling was published on the Supreme Court’s official website.

The defense argued that the defendant’s faith forbids participation in military activities. However, the court established that he was assigned a non-combat role — a communications specialist — that did not involve the use of weapons.

The Court emphasized that alternative (non-military) service is only applicable in peacetime. Under general mobilization, every citizen — regardless of religion — is obliged to serve the country, even in the rear, performing non-combat duties. Refusal to participate in any form of service, including support roles, was deemed full evasion of mobilization.

«When there is a real threat to the very existence of the state, every citizen must seek a balance between their convictions and the needs of the country,» the Supreme Court stated.

For reference, a court in the Volyn region previously tried a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses religious group who refused mobilization and military service in Ukraine’s Armed Forces due to his beliefs.