Since 2023, Belarusian men have been actively recruited to serve under contract in the Russian Armed Forces, with the explicit aim of deploying them in the war against Ukraine. These recruitment campaigns, widely advertised on social media, including VKontakte, and through other digital platforms, offer substantial financial incentives, social benefits, and the prospect of expedited Russian citizenship.

Despite the clear presence of such recruitment efforts, the Belarusian government and the Ministry of Defense have taken no visible action to halt or restrict these activities, effectively granting tacit approval to the enlistment of Belarusian nationals for participation in Russia’s war in Ukraine. The absence of public condemnation or legal action against recruitment agencies and individuals involved in this process signals silent endorsement by Belarusian state structures, enabling the sustained mobilization of Belarusian men into the Russian military.

Furthermore, the advertisements promoting enlistment are openly available and widely circulated, demonstrating an official tolerance—if not encouragement—of these efforts. These practices raise serious human rights concerns, legal ambiguities, and potential violations of Belarus’ international obligations, particularly regarding forced recruitment, economic coercion, and complicity in armed conflict.

Recruitment Mechanisms and Incentives

Recruitment campaigns specifically target Belarusian men with promises of lucrative financial compensation, social security, and career advancement, while downplaying the significant risks associated with military deployment.

Financial and Social Incentives

• One-time signing bonus: Up to 600,000 Russian rubles (€6,667).
• Monthly salary: Starting from 210,000 rubles (€2,300), with additional combat pay.
• Death compensation: 5 million rubles (€53,600) for families of fallen soldiers.
• Housing and pension benefits: Access to service housing, preferential pension schemes, and tax exemptions.
• Medical insurance and citizenship acquisition: Recruits are promised comprehensive medical care and a fast-tracked process for obtaining Russian citizenship for themselves and their families.

Contractual Terms and Obligations

• Minimum Service Period: Contracts require at least one year of service, often with automatic extension clauses that prevent voluntary resignation.
• Deployment to Conflict Zones: Recruits are sent directly to active combat areas in Ukraine, significantly increasing their risk of injury, death, or capture.
• Restricted Exit Mechanisms: The combination of contractual obligations and Russia’s partial mobilization decree makes it nearly impossible for recruits to terminate their contracts early, effectively trapping them in prolonged military service.

Government Inaction and Tacit Approval

Lack of Legal or Policy Measures to Halt Recruitment

Despite publicly available advertisements and widespread knowledge of Belarusian citizens being recruited for combat in Ukraine, the Belarusian government and Ministry of Defense have made no efforts to stop or restrict such activities. There are no known:

• Public statements condemning the recruitment of Belarusian nationals for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
• Legislative initiatives to criminalize or regulate such recruitment practices.
• Investigations or prosecutions targeting individuals or organizations involved in recruitment efforts.

Officially Promoted Recruitment Advertisements

The recruitment of Belarusian citizens into the Russian Armed Forces is not conducted clandestinely but is actively promoted through official channels:

• State-controlled digital platforms and social media pages openly distribute recruitment messages.
• No restrictions or takedowns have been imposed on these advertisements, even though Belarusian authorities regularly censor online content critical of the government.
• The Ministry of Defense has remained silent on the issue, neither confirming nor denying state involvement, allowing recruitment to continue unimpeded.

The lack of intervention suggests complicity at the highest levels of the Belarusian government and highlights Belarus’ direct role in facilitating Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine.

Targeted Recruitment and Vulnerable Populations

Recruiters specifically target Belarusian men who may be economically or socially vulnerable, leveraging financial insecurity as a coercive tool.

• Age range: 18 to 60 years old.
• Health requirements: General physical fitness for military service.
• Prior military experience: Preferred but not required.

The recruitment campaigns exploit economic hardship, using the promise of high salaries, bonuses, and financial stability to entice individuals who might otherwise refuse participation in armed conflict.

Economic Exploitation of Low-Income Belarusian Citizens

Belarusian men from underprivileged backgrounds are disproportionately targeted due to:

• Limited employment opportunities within Belarus.
• State-controlled industries offering low wages, making Russian military salaries seem attractive.
• Lack of viable alternatives, leading individuals to enlist as a means of survival rather than voluntary military commitment.

Deceptive Recruitment Tactics

Many Belarusian recruits do not fully understand the terms of their contracts due to:

• Failure to disclose combat risks before enlistment.
• Misleading claims about non-combat roles, when in reality, recruits are sent to the frontlines.
• Hidden clauses that prevent contract termination, effectively making withdrawal impossible.

Legal and Human Rights Violations

The recruitment of Belarusian nationals into the Russian Armed Forces for participation in the war in Ukraine violates multiple international human rights treaties and Belarus’ own domestic laws.

Violations of Belarusian Law

• Article 133 of the Criminal Code of Belarus criminalizes mercenary activity. Although serving in the Russian Armed Forces is not explicitly classified as mercenary behavior, the lack of legal clarity places recruits at risk of prosecution.
• Failure to regulate recruitment constitutes government negligence in protecting its citizens from foreign military exploitation.

Violations of International Law

Right to Life (Article 6, ICCPR & UDHR)

• The Belarusian government is complicit in sending its citizens to war without taking any steps to ensure their safety, security, or informed consent.

Prohibition of Forced or Coerced Labor (Article 8, ICCPR & ILO Convention No. 29)

• Recruitment through economic coercion and restricted contract termination meets the criteria for forced labor and human trafficking.

Violation of Freedom of Thought, Conscience, and Religion (Article 18, ICCPR)

• No legal mechanisms exist for conscientious objection, leaving recruits with no option but to fight or face imprisonment.

Restrictions on Freedom of Movement (Article 12, ICCPR)

• Recruits may face exit bans from Belarus or restrictions on their ability to return once enlisted, violating their right to free movement.

The silent complicity of the Belarusian government and Ministry of Defense in facilitating the recruitment of Belarusian men for Russia’s war in Ukraine constitutes a serious violation of international human rights law. The state’s failure to prevent these activities makes it directly responsible for the military exploitation of its citizens. Urgent action is required to protect Belarusian nationals from further manipulation, coercion, and life-threatening military deployment and participation in the war in Ukraine.

Credits Аnаdоlu Аgеnсу/Gеttу/ІWМ (Аrt.ІWМ РSТ 0318)