The Unworkable Fantasy: Why Russia’s Plan to Conscript Men from Occupied Ukrainian Territory is a Non-Starter
The recent announcement by Russia’s Ministry of Defence to conscript men from the territories it occupies in Ukraine not only has eyebrows raised but also red flags flying. In a world that looks to diplomacy, international law, and the fundamental principles of human rights as guiding forces for governance, the plan is nothing short of a pipe dream. It is glaringly unrealistic for a plethora of reasons: its questionable legality, dubious feasibility, and the lack of public support in the occupied regions. Let’s unpack these one by one.
A Gross Violation of International Law and Human Rights
First and foremost, Russia’s annexation of the four regions of Ukraine is widely considered to be unlawful by the international community. The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution as recent as March 27, 2023, affirming Ukraine’s territorial integrity and denouncing actions aimed at disrupting the nation’s unity and sovereignty. Furthermore, it specifically stated that the referendums carried out in these regions lack any legitimacy, as they were not authorized by Ukraine.
In essence, by forcibly conscripting residents from the annexed areas, Russia would not only be skirting international law but trampling on it. To subject people to military service in a territory whose annexation is globally considered illegitimate would be an indefensible violation of human rights.
The Practical Impossibilities
When we dive into the logistics of this ill-conceived plan, its impracticality becomes glaringly obvious. According to the 2023 census, roughly 2.5 million men in the age bracket of 18–27 are present in the occupied regions — these being the men who would be eligible for conscription. Yet, this figure is largely misleading. The ongoing conflict has resulted in the displacement, death, or voluntary service in Ukrainian forces of a significant number of these men. Moreover, citizenship and proper identification documents — mandatory for conscription — are often lacking among these potential conscripts.
The notion that Russia would easily integrate this demographic into its armed forces is naive at best and delusional at worst. And let’s not forget the administrative nightmare that would ensue, with Russia scrambling to provide these men with legal identification while navigating an already complex and unstable military operation.
Public Opinion Says it All
The sentiment on the ground serves as the most poignant reality check for Russia’s Ministry of Defence. Recent surveys, such as the one conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, show that a majority of residents in the occupied territories — 56% to be precise — wish to remain as part of Ukraine. Only a meager 23% favored joining Russia. More tellingly, a significant 61% trusted Ukrainian President Zelenskyy as compared to a mere 16% who trusted Putin.
To put it bluntly, trying to enforce conscription in such an atmosphere could be a veritable tinderbox, igniting social unrest and possibly even violent opposition. It’s like asking someone to leave their lifelong home to serve the very entity that upended their life. It doesn’t sit well, neither emotionally nor rationally.
Conclusion
In light of these compelling factors, Russia’s plan to conscript men from its occupied territories in Ukraine comes across as not just unrealistic but utterly untenable. It is a plan marred by legal blindspots, impractical assumptions, and a blatant disregard for public sentiment.
By all accounts, this plan doesn’t merely overreach — it catapults into the realm of the absurd, ignoring legal norms, practical constraints, and the palpable human element at the heart of the issue.
