A new problem related to mobilization has emerged in Ukraine: people with disabilities are often fined for failing to appear at territorial recruitment centers (TRCs), despite having all the necessary documents confirming their disability. This situation is causing concern among human rights defenders and lawyers, in particular due to a lack of understanding of the legislation.
As Roman Likhachev, a lawyer at the Ukrainian Helsinki Union for Human Rights Reception Center, points out, disability does not automatically mean unfitness for military service. The changes made to the legislation on May 18, 2024, allow persons with disabilities to receive a deferment from mobilization, but this is possible only after passing the Military Medical Commission (MMC), not the Medical and Social Expert Commission (MSEC).
That is, if a person with a disability undergoes a VLK and is found unfit for service, he is removed from the military register, and there are no more questions from the CCC. However, if after the VLK the person is found fit, he will remain on the military register and may continue to receive a deferral. In this case, he must update his data in the CCC.
The lawyer also advises those who cannot come to the CCC due to physical or other reasons to write an explanatory letter stating the reasons for their absence. This will help avoid fines for not being present at the call.
