The Verkhovna Rada plans to consider a draft law on new rules for mobilisation and military service on 10 January 2024. The proposed changes include the abolition of conscription, a reduction in the conscription age, and new grounds for dismissal: captivity, disability of groups 1-2, and service during martial law for 36 months. This was reported to LB.ua by sources in the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defence and Intelligence.
"There is no final text. We are still discussing it at the level of working groups," said one of the Committee members.
Another member of the Security Committee added that "it will be considered in the first reading in the Verkhovna Rada on 10 January. "There is no text, but there are main points," the MP said.
The current version of the draft law includes the following points:
The conscription age for mobilisation is 25 years (currently 27 years).
The right to deferment from conscription and the right to be released from service for the following categories:
- persons with disabilities of groups 1-2;
- having three or more children;
- the right to discharge a spouse if both are servicemen and have a child;
- a minor with a disability in the family;
- presence of an adult disabled child with a disability/spouse or spouse's/parents' spouse of group 1-2;
- being a guardian of a person with a disability of groups 1-2 who has been recognised as incapacitated by a court;
- pregnancy and maternity leave;
- current status of a Member of Parliament, election as a MP is a ground for dismissal from service;
- having close relatives (husband, wife, son, daughter, father, mother, brother or sister) who died or went missing during the ATO or repulsion of armed aggression against Ukraine.
The following categories are deferred, but not exempted from dismissal:
- students of consecutive higher education who are under 30 years old;
- all scientists with academic titles;
- all full-time teachers.
Fixed-term servicemen are not subject to mobilisation for 6 months after discharge from service.
All persons who have been mobilised and discharged (except for conscripts) are not subject to mobilisation for 2 years after discharge.
They are subject to mobilisation only if they wish to be mobilised:
- persons released from captivity;
- women;
Grounds for discharge from military service:
- being in captivity (involuntary);
- Generals by the decision of the military leadership;
- persons who served during the period of martial law for 36 months;
- persons who entered into a short-term contract during mobilisation (persons aged 18-24, except for officers).
The right to a deferral of military registration is cancelled for civil servants, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and employees of the State Internal Affairs Service.
Conscript service is cancelled, and all conscripts are dismissed and transferred to the mobilisation resource in accordance with the general rules (from the age of 25).
Preparation for the defence of the motherland (training):
- a three-month basic general military training is introduced for all citizens aged 18 to 25 at all educational institutions;
- basic military service is introduced for those who have not completed basic military training up to the age of 25.
The mobilisation process:
- local state bodies and administrations are obliged to mobilise, rather than facilitate mobilisation as before;
- mobilisation of vehicles - extension to all but individuals.
Martial law:
- restrictions on the rights of persons evading mobilisation (proposals to be specified);
- increased involvement of the National Police in mobilisation activities.
Military registration:
- all citizens of Ukraine aged 18-60 must be registered. (All citizens must be registered, including those who have a deferral and those who can be mobilised only at will);
- introduction of a military registration document - a defender's certificate (which will indicate whether a person is liable for military service, has a deferment, reservation, etc;)
- military registration abroad - to be determined by the CMU.
New obligations of citizens:
- provide information on their place of residence (stay) to the employer;
- undergo a medical examination during mobilisation;
- appear in person at the ASC of the RMA to clarify the data;
- always carry a military registration document (MRD) during martial law (electronic analogue - defender's certificate).
A person may be recruited to the civil service and law enforcement agencies only if they have undergone basic military training or basic military service.
The Cabinet of Ministers should review the number of reservations and develop new criteria for reservations in state bodies (25% to 50%).
Recruitment:
- Recruitment at ASCs, employment centres and recruitment centres (voluntary only);
- Direct conscription to military units through recruitment.
Military service:
- Mobilised during training - recruit (cannot be used except for training; capabilities, physical ability, actual fitness are determined; less financial support). The possibility of sending a citizen to the front unprepared is completely removed. If a recruit does not pass the training stage, he or she can be dismissed without additional costs to the state;
- the category of "limitedly able". Only the able and the unable will remain. Some will become unable, some will become able. Re-passing the military qualification commission;
- The possibility of military service under the call-up during mobilisation at the request of a person sentenced to serve a sentence of probation.
Social protection:
- 30 days' leave without division into parts once a year (granted three times in 36 months of mobilisation);
- 90 days leave (without division into parts) after captivity for those who continue to serve;
- the list of family circumstances for dismissal is defined by the Law (currently there are differences in the legislation).
Options for serving a summons:
- at the TCR by representatives of the TCR.
- at the place of residence by representatives of the TCR, police officers.
- at the place of work by representatives of the TCR, employer, police officers.
- in public places by representatives of the TCR and police officers.
Introduction of an obligation for military commanders to conduct mandatory rotation on the contact line - no more than 6 months with a specified period for the unit's recovery.