From October 1, 2024, the mobilization of students will start in Ukraine in accordance with Law No. 10449. Most undergraduate students are eligible for a draft deferment, but there are a few exceptions where a student may receive a summons.
According to lawyers Yevhen Kamyshev and Ruslan Melnyk, students of draft age who are studying full-time or dually, while obtaining their first higher education, benefit from a deferment. Trainee assistants, graduate students, and doctoral students are also not eligible for the draft. Regardless of the form of education (budget or contract), the right to postponement remains with the students, but to confirm it, a certificate from the dean's office of the educational institution must be submitted to the territorial recruitment center (TCC).
The exception is scientific and scientific-pedagogical workers who have a scientific degree. Vocational and technical school teachers receive a deferment only if they have a primary job at 0.75 of the rate.
When can students be drafted?
There are situations when students may be denied the right to a deferment. This applies to those who:
- studies in the evening or part-time;
- does not obtain the first higher education;
- receives an education lower than the one already available;
- refuses to undergo general military training.
During the holidays, students can maintain a deferment if they transfer from one course to another. However, if a person enters a higher level of education, during the break between semesters, he is not considered a student and may be called up.
Students older than 30 years
In 2023, a draft law was registered, which provides for the waiving of the deferment for men over 30 who are studying. However, as of 2024, this law has not yet been passed, so men who obtain continuous first higher education are still not eligible for conscription.
Thus, in 2024, the mobilization of students in Ukraine will be carried out taking into account new rules that should be known in order to avoid unforeseen situations.
