Martial law has been extended in Ukraine until May 4, 2026, and mobilization measures are ongoing. At the same time, the legislation provides for a clear list of categories of citizens who are not subject to mobilization or have the right to a deferral.
Grounds for exemption from conscription are defined in Article 23 of the Law of Ukraine "On Mobilization Training and Mobilization." The most common reasons include health, family circumstances, education, and performing critical work.
Citizens who have been declared unfit for military service by a military medical commission are not subject to mobilization. The list of diseases is determined by the order of the Ministry of Defense No. 402. Persons with disabilities of groups I, II or III are also exempt from conscription.
Parents of three or more minor children, as well as guardians and custodians of children left without parental care, are entitled to a deferment. Parents of a child with a disability, as well as citizens who provide permanent care for relatives who cannot take care of themselves due to their health, are not subject to mobilization.
The law also provides for a deferral for persons whose parents have disabilities of groups I–II, as well as for those whose husband or wife has a disability of any group. A separate benefit is provided for citizens whose brothers or sisters died or went missing during hostilities against Russia — it applies to both full and half-siblings.
Persons released from captivity are not subject to re-mobilization. They may only return to service voluntarily.
Employees of enterprises and organizations that have official reservations are also exempt from conscription. These are specialists whose activities are critically important for defense, the economy, and the functioning of the state's infrastructure.
Full-time or dual-study students at higher education institutions are entitled to a deferral provided that they obtain a higher level of education than they have already received.
Regarding age restrictions, citizens aged 18 to 25 years old, if they have conscript status, as well as persons over 60 years old, cannot be mobilized.
Certain exceptions apply to persons with a criminal record. Those convicted of serious crimes, including against national security, premeditated murder with particular cruelty, corruption offenses, terrorism, rape, robbery, drug trafficking, and other serious crimes defined by the Criminal Code of Ukraine, are not subject to mobilization.
In addition, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a decision to provide a one-year deferral for those who served under the "18–24" contract for one year and were discharged. They receive a legal deferral for 12 months after completing their service.
Thus, despite martial law and mobilization measures, the law defines a clear list of categories of citizens who are not subject to conscription or are entitled to a deferment.
