In Ukraine, during martial law, citizens of draft age are required to keep military records. Failure to fulfill these obligations may result in a person being put on the wanted list of the Territorial Center for Recruiting and Social Support (TCS). Yaroslav Zvonenko, a lawyer in the military law practice at the Law Firm “Prykhodko and Partners”, told RBC-Ukraine about the main reasons why men can be put on the wanted list and ways to avoid this situation.
Why can they be put on the wanted list?
The lawyer explained that the main reasons for a wanted announcement are:
- Failure to appear on summons. If a person does not appear on summons to the CCC, this is grounds for a wanted person to be placed on the wanted list.
- Refusal to undergo a military medical examination (MME). If a person refuses to undergo a medical examination without good reason, this may also be grounds for a search.
- Failure to update military registration data. If the CCC and the SP cannot obtain up-to-date data about an individual through state registries, and the individual does not update this data independently, this may result in a search.
As Zvonenko explains, at the first stage, a person is placed on an “internal” wanted list within the CCC. Then, if the situation is not resolved, the CCC submits an appeal to the National Police, and the person is declared an administrative wanted list. In case of evasion of mobilization after receiving a summons, the person may be declared a criminal wanted list in accordance with Article 336 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
How to remove yourself from the wanted list of the CCC
Zvonenko advises that the fastest way to solve this problem is to voluntarily contact the CCC, where you can explain the reasons for your absence or failure to fulfill your duties.
“It is worth having documents with you that confirm your identity and the reasons for your absence, for example, medical certificates or death certificates of loved ones,” the lawyer adds. He also recommends enlisting the support of a lawyer to protect against possible illegal actions by the CCC.
If the situation is not resolved voluntarily, the citizen may appeal the actions of the CCC in court. This is possible if the person did not receive a summons or had legal grounds for a postponement.
Mobilization and repeated summonses
It should be noted that in Ukraine there are no restrictions on re-sending of summonses. In case of failure to appear at the previous ones, summonses can be sent again, and each new summons renews the obligation to appear at the CCC. If a person does not appear, a fine is imposed on him.
The Office of the President also recently confirmed that the problem of the so-called "busification" of conscripted men remains relevant. The General Staff and other institutions are working to resolve this issue, trying to reduce the number of such cases.
