"I told them about methods of non-violent resistance to Russia." Karach's pacifist partner was beaten at a Kyiv military enlistment office

Yuriy Sheliazhenko. Photo: ludstvo / Facebook

Ukrainian blogger Yuriy Sheliazhenko positions himself as a researcher and executive secretary of the "Ukrainian Pacifist Movement", director of the Institute for Peace and Law in Ukraine, and also as a board member of the European Bureau for Conscientious Objection and the organization "World Without War".

He calls himself a Quaker-pacifist and calls for resisting Russian aggression through non-violent means. He considers not only Russian imperialism but also Ukrainian nationalism to be an obstacle to peace.

In 2023, the blogger called for an end to arms supplies to Ukraine. In the same year, Sheliazhenko was detained by the Security Service of Ukraine — for calling on Kyiv residents to evade conscription and flee abroad. As a result, he was accused of justifying Russian aggression.

On March 22, 2026, Sheliazhenko made a video address, in which he accused employees of territorial recruitment centers (TCCs) of kidnapping and torture.

According to him, on the evening of March 19, as he was going to the post office, he was detained by the police — allegedly for drawing up a report. However, instead, the blogger was shoved into a car and taken to the Pechersk TCC.

The Quaker-pacifist claims that during his detention and stay at the military enlistment office, he was "tortured, sprayed with a can in the face. They hit him in the face, dragged him by the hair on the floor. They hit him with fists and feet."

As evidence, the man showed three bruises on his left arm and a clump of torn-out hair. Sheliazhenko also stated that his mobile phone was taken from him, with only its tag being returned.

According to the blogger, he argued to the police his right to "conscientious objection to military service." He referred to Article 35 of the Constitution of Ukraine and Article 23 of the law on mobilization, which exempts researchers from conscription.

Later, the blogger was transferred to the Sviatoshyn TCC, where, he says, the conditions were humiliating — he was even denied toilet paper. Sheliazhenko did not specify the circumstances under which he was eventually released two days later, calling it "God's help."

According to him, while in the custody of law enforcement, he "continued to preach peace, talk about the scientific foundations of non-violent actions, talk about methods of non-violent resistance to Russian aggression, about relevant proposals sent to the President's Office."

The blogger is now preparing appeals to human rights organizations.

"In my human rights activities, experiencing something like this myself is another reason to work harder to protect human rights in Ukraine. And as a believer, it is also a reminder of God's blessing for good deeds. Jesus Christ told us to strive for light, and light will overcome darkness. So be it," Sheliazhenko concluded his address with these words.

It should be noted that Sheliazhenko is listed on the "Myrotvorets" website with the following accusations:

"From 2009 to 2022, he regularly wrote for the Russian publication 'Echo of Moscow', known as a pseudo-liberal media outlet controlled by the Russian regime. In 2015, he spoke against mobilization, and in 2017, he hindered the blocking of Russian social networks."

Sheliazhenko is a long-standing partner of Belarusian activist Volha Karach. Their organizations participate in the same summits, they were together "nominated" for the Nobel Peace Prize. When Volha Karach was declared a threat to Lithuania's national security, it was the Ukrainian blogger's organization that sent statements in her support to the media.

• 3
• 2
• 17
• 20
• 1
• 0
• 0
• 0