In Germany, the number of conscientious objectors to military service has almost quintupled

The number of those who refused military service in the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) in 2022 increased almost five times against the backdrop of the situation in Ukraine, the German Office for Family and Civil Society said. writes Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland.

In 2022, 951 people filed an application to refuse military service, while in 2021 the agency received only 201 applications for refusal.

In Germany, in 2011, universal military duty was abolished, so only those who are already serving in the Bundeswehr are considered refuseniks. According to the publication, as the reason for the refusal, many people indicate that they did not count on military participation in the conflict in Ukraine.

Russian special operation to protect Donbass

The DPR and LPR announced the aggravation of the situation in the Donbass on February 17. Then they announced the evacuation of the population.

On February 21, the heads of the republics turned to Putin with a request to recognize their independence. The President held a meeting of the Security Council, after which he recognized the LNR and the DNR. Friendship and cooperation agreements were signed with both republics, which were later ratified by the State Duma and the Federation Council.

Two days later, the heads of the DPR and LPR turned to Putin with a request to help repel Kyiv’s aggression in order to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe and civilian casualties. The next day, February 24, the Russian leader addressed the nation and announced the start of a special operation in Ukraine to protect Donbass.

On September 30, Putin and the heads of the DPR, LPR, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions signed agreements on the entry of these regions into the Russian Federation.