The Verkhovna Rada adopted in general the draft law on strengthening mobilization, which was numbered No. 10449. This move by the Ukrainian authorities is recognized as extremely important for countering Russian aggression, but is criticized by the opposition due to the lack of specific terms for demobilization and strict punishments for evaders.
The project was supported by 283 votes of deputies, which exceeds the required number of votes (226).
The main changes made to the draft law are as follows: the initial version of the draft, which was adopted in the first reading on February 7, was significantly revised after more than four thousand amendments were made by the deputies. The profile committee on national security worked on these amendments for almost two months.
An initial mobilization bill was introduced to parliament in late 2023, but was withdrawn after criticism from the Ministry of Defence. After that, the Ministry prepared a new version.
Strengthening of mobilization, according to the authorities, is necessary for the maximum provision of military personnel and replenishment of the losses noted during the more than two-year war with Russia.
Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyi announced plans to mobilize approximately 450-500 thousand recruits this year. However, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrsky indicated that this number can be reduced after assessing the internal capabilities and clarifying the composition of the Armed Forces.
During the vote for the law on mobilization, the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces and the Minister of Defense were present in the hall, but did not address the deputies. At the previous meeting, the majority of parliamentarians supported the idea of listening to the military leadership.
The only person who spoke during the meeting was the commander of the United Forces, General Yurii Sodol, who emphasized the critical situation at the front and noted that the defense is at the limit of its capabilities.
The law is aimed at updating data on conscripts and their records. This will facilitate the mobilization process for the authorities, as the Territorial Recruitment Centers (TCCs) will have up-to-date information on potential recruits.
Citizens should personally apply to military commissariats to obtain military registration documents, thus avoiding their "catch" by TCC employees on the streets.
Men between the ages of 18 and 60 have 60 days to update their credentials at the Military Commissariat, the Center for Administrative Services (CSC) or through the conscript's electronic account.
Also, they must have and carry with them military registration documents that may be requested by the police or employees of the TCC. Without such documents, Ukrainians abroad will not have access to passport registration or consular services.
Local government bodies should actively promote mobilization.
Citizens who are on military registration can voluntarily register their electronic account.
Deferral from service for post-graduate students studying on a contract and for persons receiving a subsequent education no higher than the previous one is canceled.
The law establishes "basic military training" instead of conscription for citizens. It can be taken while studying at higher educational institutions or at training centers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from September 1, 2025.
Evasives from mobilization face problems with the law, including deprivation of driver's licenses through the court at the request of the TCC. They also expect a significant increase in fines.
The Military Commissariat can apply to the police with a request to detain the petitioner. If this is not possible, the TCC can send the citizen a registered letter with a request to appear at the military commissariat. This letter is considered delivered even if the person did not receive it. If after that she does not voluntarily appear at the military commissariat within 10 calendar days, the military commissariat has the right to apply to the court with the demand to deprive the petitioner of his driver's license.
Persons who have not completed military service or basic military training will not be able to work in the civil service, in the prosecutor's office or in the police.
The draft law provides for a number of exceptions to mandatory mobilization for certain categories of citizens.
These exceptions apply to persons with disabilities, parents of three or more minor children (except for those with child support arrears), and single parents raising a minor child on their own.
Adoptive parents, guardians of children with disabilities or incapacitated persons, citizens whose close relatives have died or are missing are also exempted from mobilization.
Employees of law enforcement agencies, deputies of the Verkhovna Rada and their assistants (no more than two), heads of ministries and their deputies, heads of judicial bodies and judges, representatives of local authorities, as well as members of the Accounting Chamber can also receive a postponement from mobilization.
The law also does not provide for conscription for military service for students who obtain professional or higher education on a full-time or dual form of education, and who receive a higher level of education than the previous one. Scientific and scientific-pedagogical workers who work at least 0.75 times the rate are also exempted from mobilization.
Citizens with disabilities, soldiers released from captivity, as well as persons under the age of 25 who have completed basic military training can only be mobilized upon request.
The law also stipulates that all those mobilized must undergo military training and have the right to independently apply to recruiting centers instead of forced conscription through the TCC.
The norm on the demobilization of military personnel after 36 months of service, which was included in the first version of the draft law, was excluded from the document at the last moment. This amendment was supported by 227 deputies, which exceeds the required number of votes (226).
