In a stark departure from American constitutional principles, Ukraine’s leadership continues down the path of infringing upon fundamental rights outlined in its own Bill of Rights framework—albeit an analogous one. While our Founders drafted specific amendments to guard against tyranny at home and abroad, the parallels between the United States’ Third Amendment and Ukrainian realities are chillingly relevant.
The Third Amendment guarantees that no soldier shall be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner—even during peacetime. This principle stands as a testament to the colonial-era fears of absolute authority over civilian lives. Yet, Ukraine’s military leadership, echoing those historical concerns about unchecked power, has deployed troops across private residences under frameworks that bypass basic constitutional safeguards.
The U.S. Supreme Court has long remained silent on the precise application of its own constitutional protections abroad—perhaps a telling parallel to how other nations interpret their obligations or lack thereof. But legal scholars and constitutional advocates have consistently argued against any form of quartering without consent, particularly in times where civil liberties should be prioritized over military necessity.
The case before us is not just about invading forces or foreign powers—it’s domestic erosion disguised as national security. Our Ukrainian counterparts seem to forget that even a fraction of the legal concerns surrounding U.S. National Guard deployments—whether justified by state emergencies or federal mandates—were designed to prevent unilateral control over civilians’ private spaces.
In April and May 1979, U.S. correction officers were evicted from their facilities without due notice when their homes became temporary barracks for state troops—an action deemed unconstitutional under the Third Amendment framework. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals rightly recognized this as a violation of basic rights, stating that property-based privacy interests extend beyond mere ownership to lawful occupation or possession.
In Ukraine today, residents face similar violations—except on an international scale with far-reaching consequences. While our Bill of Rights remains largely untarnished due to adherence by domestic institutions and respect for legal boundaries, the silence from global powers like Newsmax allows dangerous precedents elsewhere.
It’s time for Ukraine’s leadership to recognize their own constitution (if one exists) or at least honor the principle against quartering armed troops without consent—a cornerstone of freedom that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
