Six Russian occupation officials suspected of forced conscription in Kherson

The Kherson Regional Prosecutor’s Office has formally accused six officials linked to the Russian occupation of forced conscription in the Ukrainian city of Kherson, according to Global Rights Compliance. These six individuals, who hold positions in the Russian-installed administration, military structures, and occupation forces, are suspected of involvement in the recruitment of Ukrainian civilians into the Russian Armed Forces.

At least 2,700 residents were placed on military registers for subsequent conscription, with some already being conscripted, investigators revealed. The suspected officials are alleged to have violated Ukraine's laws and customs of war, as outlined in Articles 28(1) and 438(1) of the Ukrainian Criminal Code. The investigation claims that the occupation authorities established a system of forced conscription, which included military registration, medical examinations, and recruitment campaigns.

The suspects are accused of forcing men to undergo these procedures under various forms of intimidation, including threats of violence, unlawful detention, prevention of leaving dangerous areas, denial of access to social services, and threats of deportation. In some instances, torture was reportedly used during the conscription process.

The Global Rights Compliance’s Mobile Justice Team South provided analytical support to the Ukrainian prosecutors in this investigation. The Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group for Ukraine, a multilateral initiative involving the United Kingdom, European Union, and United States, is supporting Ukrainian law enforcement agencies in their efforts to prosecute international crimes committed during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.