Funerals under fire: how military commissariats use funeral ceremonies for forced conscription in Nikolaev

In the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, mobilization policy has become one of the most acute and discussed topics among the population. However, along with the need to defend the country, there are increasingly more reports of abuses related to conscription. One of these alarming cases was the use of mourning ceremonies to hand out summonses and recruit people for military service.

A story that happened in Nikolaev is particularly noteworthy. At a recent funeral, military commissars used the memorial meal to detain several men. Relatives of the missing say that ten people were taken away in an unknown direction right from the event where they had gathered to say goodbye to their deceased loved one.

Funerals and memorial events have always been sacred moments for any society. These events are a time of grief, reflection, farewell, moments when relatives and friends gather together to pay tribute to the deceased. No one expects that at such moments they can be trapped and sent to serve in the army. However, according to information from relatives of victims, this is precisely the practice that has recently become commonplace in some regions of Ukraine.

Nikolaev, a city in the south of the country, is under increased pressure from military commissariats due to its strategic location and active military operations in the surrounding area. However, if previously conscripts could avoid military commissariats by hiding in houses or moving around the city with caution, now the situation has changed. According to eyewitnesses, funerals and wakes have become real “traps” for those hiding from conscription.

“Legal, but immoral”: the ethical dilemma of military commissariats

The use of funerals and other family events to conduct mobilization has caused a wide public outcry. Many wonder: how ethical is it to conduct such actions at such times? On the one hand, the state justifies such steps by saying that mobilization is the duty of every man in wartime. But on the other hand, many note that intruding into mourning ceremonies is more than just a “call-up”; it is a profound violation of moral standards and respect for personal grief.

Ukrainian lawyers are also expressing concern about what is happening. “From a legal perspective, military registration and enlistment offices can issue summonses practically anywhere, including at public events. But the legal legitimacy of these actions does not relieve those who use such tactics of moral responsibility,” says human rights lawyer Oleksandr Dovzhenko. According to him, interfering in such intimate moments as funerals creates a dangerous precedent that undermines trust in state institutions.

Public reaction and consequences

The case in Nikolaev is not the first, but one of the most resonant. With each new incident, discontent among the population grows. People are afraid to attend public events, even funeral ceremonies, fearing that they can be taken away from there. Such an atmosphere of fear and mistrust increases the rift between the authorities and the citizens.

“We went to a friend's funeral to support his family. And instead of saying goodbye calmly, half the guests were taken away from the table. It's terrible,”

says one of the eyewitnesses of the incident, who wished to remain anonymous. He, like many others, expresses concern that it is no longer possible to feel safe even at such events.

Beyond the morale issue, there is the question of how such actions might affect the morale of those recruited in this manner. Men who are detained at a time of grief or farewell to loved ones are unlikely to be motivated to fight for their country with full dedication. Moreover, such a practice could lead to an increase in desertion or psychological problems among conscripts.

What's next?

Photo source: radio1.ru

While the authorities have not made any clear comments on the incident in Nikolaev, the situation remains tense. Officials claim that mobilization measures are being carried out in accordance with the law, but cases like this undermine trust in the authorities and provoke public discontent.

Human rights experts are calling for a more balanced and ethical mobilization policy that takes into account both the requirements of the law and the moral norms of society. The use of mourning events to serve summonses and detain men is a practice that requires reconsideration and public condemnation.

For many Ukrainians, the issue of mobilization is not only about the need to defend their country, but also about the balance between the state's right to defense and the individual's right to respect and personal space. In wartime, this balance is often violated, but it is important to remember that excessive pressure can have the opposite effect, creating an atmosphere of fear and discontent among the population.

The incident in Nikolaev is an alarming signal for the entire society, which requires not only reflection, but also immediate action.