Demobilization in Ukraine remains a pressing issue that raises many questions among military personnel and their families. Given the martial law, general demobilization is not carried out in Ukraine, but there are specific cases when military personnel may be discharged from service. We will tell you more about who is entitled to demobilization and what the prospects for this process are below.
Demobilization is the process of releasing military personnel from service after the end of a military campaign, the expiration of their contract, or for other legitimate reasons during a period of martial law or special circumstances. It is the reverse of mobilization, where military personnel return to civilian life.
However, in Ukraine, due to martial law, demobilization is not currently carried out in a general manner. Therefore, servicemen can only be discharged on specific grounds.
Despite the fact that demobilization in Ukraine is not carried out in 2025, there are clear conditions under which one can be discharged from service. According to Article 26 of the Law of Ukraine “On Military Duty and Military Service”, military personnel can be demobilized on the following grounds:
- Age: Military personnel who have reached the age of 60 (in some cases, 65) may be discharged from service.
- Health status: If a serviceman cannot perform his duties due to health conditions, he must undergo a medical examination and obtain a conclusion from a military medical commission.
- Punishment by court verdict: If a military person is convicted or stripped of his rank by court verdict.
- Release from captivity: Military personnel who have been released from captivity may be released from service.
- Family circumstances: This may include situations where a service member has minor children, relatives with disabilities, or in the event of the death of relatives during hostilities. For women, there is also the possibility of demobilization due to pregnancy.
Currently, demobilization is not taking place in Ukraine, but a draft law on demobilization has already been prepared. However, the process of finding solutions to who can replace those who leave the service is still ongoing.
The government is also considering an alternative to demobilization in the form of providing military personnel with long-term paid leave during martial law. This proposal is being discussed with the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense, and Intelligence, and it is expected that legislative initiatives could be presented as early as March 2025.
In general, although the issue of demobilization in Ukraine currently remains open and depends on many factors, military personnel who meet certain conditions may be able to be discharged from service. Therefore, it is important to know the legal grounds for demobilization and monitor changes in legislation to understand your rights.
