In Ivano-Frankivsk, a serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was sentenced to five years in prison for refusing to execute a combat order, referring to religious beliefs. The resonant business has caused a public debate between freedom of conscience and the duty of military service in wartime.
The incident occurred in December 2024. The military was ordered to go to the area of tasks in Slavyansk in Donetsk, but publicly refused to perform it. The man substantiated his position by being a supporter of the Seventh -day Adventist Church since 2013 and cannot use weapons for faith reasons.
In court, he did not admit guilty and requested an excuse. His defender emphasized that he did not leave the military unit, did not hide from the service, did not sabotage orders until that moment, but fundamentally refused to participate in the fighting. When the prosecutor offered him the release of criminal liability in exchange for the continuation of the service, the serviceman refused this option, following his position.
However, the court decided that the rejection of the order, even for religious reasons, was a violation of discipline in the conditions of martial law. The sentence is five years in prison in accordance with Article 402, paragraph 4 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (disobedience).
This case has become precedent and already causes the attention of human rights activists who put the issue of a balance between the constitutional right to freedom of religion and the need for military discipline in the army during a full -scale war.
