In this 6th Debunk of the Day, we’ll talk about a complex and controversial topic: conscription. It is used by vatniks to attack Ukraine for drafting men to fight, while conveniently ignoring the alternative, including the horrors of conscription into the Russian army.

Military obligations are a reality in many countries, from the most peaceful democracies to the most tyrannical dictatorships — unless you have “bone spurs”. Some argue it is a necessity for defense against invading armies, especially for small countries.

Others point out that it goes against individual rights or that a professional army is better. And Zelenskyy might agree: he did in fact end conscription. But then a full-scale invasion happened: exactly why many nations, including the US, still keep some form of draft.

While some Ukrainians did flee to avoid conscription, many others volunteered, including men and women who returned from safety and comfort abroad to join the army.

From Morgan Stanley to the front line.

At 22, Ukrainian Viktoriia Honcharuk had a Manhattan banking job, Midtown apartment. Two weeks later, she was evacuating wounded soldiers under Russian fire, NY Post. 1/ pic.twitter.com/vhy55gGX9j

— Tymofiy Mylovanov (@Mylovanov) February 2, 2026

Ukraine is facing a genocidal invasion and would neither need nor have conscription if Russia hadn’t invaded in 2014 and 2022.

For Russia conversely, both conscription and the war are a deliberate choice.
Russian conscripts are brutally hazed (“dedovshchina”), and while Putin initially denied that conscripts would be sent to the front, refuseniks now face 10 years in prison and inhumane punishments.

And Russia also forces Ukrainians from occupied territories to fight against their own country: yet another war crime.

So yes, in an ideal world Ukraine wouldn’t be conscripting anyone. But right now, the alternative could end up far worse: men would get drafted anyway…

…but to fight for Russia, civilians wouldn’t be protected, and more children would be kidnapped—and sent to fight against Russia’s next target, which could be you.
More European countries are in fact reintroducing conscription due to the risk of further Russian aggression.

Don’t want Ukrainians or your children to be conscripted in this war or the next one? Then make sure Ukraine gets all the equipment, air defense and air support they need, now.

And help us defeat the massive propaganda that makes this war possible:

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