Alternative Service on Grounds of Conscientious Objection: International Standards, Judicial Practice, and Regulatory Challenges in Ukraine

This article examines the issue of conscientious objection to military service and the institution of alternative (non-military) service as a means of fulfilling civic obligations to the state.The study highlights that the challenges surrounding alternative service in Ukraine have persisted for decades and remain highly relevant today.It analyzes constitutional requirements, international treaties, and the legislative deficiencies that currently prevent access to alternative service during martial law, and, following the 2024 amendments, even in times of peace.Particular attention is given to the judicial practice of general jurisdiction courts since 2014, with a focus on the evolving jurisprudence of the Supreme Court after the onset of the full-scale russian invasion in 2022.