The Verkhovna Rada adopted in full a draft law on mobilization

Today, 11 April, 2024, the Verkhovna Rada adopted in the second reading the draft Law No. 10449 “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine Regarding Certain Issues of Military Service, Mobilization, and Military Accounting” (hereinafter referred to as the “Draft Law”).

The Draft Law is aimed at improving the procedure for conducting mobilization measures, military accounting of conscripts, conscripts, and reservists, social protection of military personnel, as well as certain issues of military service to improve the quality of personnel selection during the replenishment of combat units to counter armed aggression against Ukraine.

During the preparation of the draft law for the second reading, 4195 amendments were received from the subjects of legislative initiative, out of which 31 amendments were taken into account.

The Law will enter into force one month after its signed by the President of Ukraine and published, except for the provisions amending the military transport obligation, which will enter into force after eight months.

Key provisions of the adopted bill include:

The provision on the right to demobilization of individuals with disabilities remains in place; Demobilization due to release from captivity (if military servicemen do not express a desire to continue military service); Individuals recognized as partially fit for service will be required to undergo re-examination within 12 months; Individuals who received disability groups 2-3 after 24 February, 2022 (except for military personnel) are subject to re-medical examination to determine fitness for service; Military servicemen entering into their first contract have the right to a 50% compensation of the initial contribution for a mortgage-secured loan; The right, within three months of entering into the first contract, to receive a certificate for purchasing a vehicle in the amount of 150 000 hryvnias; The possibility for conscripts signing a contract with the Ministry of Defense to independently choose a military unit; Limitations on consular services for men aged 18 to 60 without military registration documents; Restrictions on driving vehicles by men of the corresponding age upon the demand of the Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center (hereinafter referred to as “TRSSC”); The possibility of clarifying military registration data online in the electronic account of the recruit, conscript, reservist, or at the Centres for administrative services provision or in the TRSSC. Citizens registered with the military may voluntarily create a personal electronic account of the recruit, conscript, reservist; The obligation to clarify military registration data for Ukrainian citizens registered with the military within 60 days from the date of entry into force of this Law. The obligation for men aged 18-60 to carry military registration documents, an identity document, and present them upon request of an authorized representative of the TRSSC, police officer, or representative of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine; During document checks, an authorized representative of the TRSSC or police officer will conduct photo and video recording. The main drawback of the bill is the lack of regulation regarding the demobilization of servicemen who continue their service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the conditions of martial law for 24, 36, or 48 months (depending on the legislative initiative), as this issue has been and remains extremely resonant in society.

At the same time, while the bill does not regulate the issue of demobilization (except for disabled individuals released from captivity), the final and transitional provisions of the bill contain provisions obliging the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine to adopt regulatory acts and develop bills regarding the rotation of servicemen, their discharge from military service (demobilization), and medical-social rehabilitation.

After the publication of the text of the adopted bill, we will prepare a detailed analysis.

Keep an eye out for updates!

For additional information, please contact Andriy Romanchuk, Managing Partner, a.romanchuk@moris.law and Rostyslav Sobotnyk, associate, r.sobotnyk@moris.law.