Dmytro Koval, "Predatory Recruitment: Beyond the Mercenary Paradigm"
Time: Tue, Nov. 17, 12:00-1:00 PM
Location: Faculty Lounge, College of Law
Abstract:
Russia’s recruitment of foreign nationals for its war against Ukraine has developed into a global phenomenon, reaching from Central and South Asia to Africa and Latin America. While these foreign fighters are often described as mercenaries, many fall outside the narrow legal definition of mercenarism, raising difficult questions about how international law should conceptualize their participation in hostilities. Drawing on recent reports published by Truth Hounds and partners, this talk will examine the legal complexities of predatory recruitment, including practices involving deception, coercion and human trafficking, and consider the broader consequences of Russia’s transnational recruitment system for international security.
About the Speaker:
Dmytro graduated from Odessa Law Academy with a Ph.D. in international law. He was a research fellow at Stanford University, Central European University, Jagiellonian University, and the Polish Academy of Sciences. He has lectured at universities across Europe and the Americas and advised international organizations, Ukrainian government institutions, and NGOs on foreign policy and international law. Between 2021 and 2025, Dmytro represented Ukraine in the UNESCO Protocol 1999 Committee. Dmytro is a member of the board of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize winner Center for Civil Liberties.
Co-sponsors for the talk: College of Law, Ukrainian Studies Program, CGS, REEEC.