Ukrainian parliament passes law on mobilization: When new rules take effect

How MPs voted

Voting by faction:

• Servant of the People - 192
• European Solidarity - 0
• Fatherland - 2
• Platform for Life and Peace - 18
• For the Future - 12
• Holos - 16
• Dovira - 15
• Restoration of Ukraine - 16

Non-factional - 12

Photo: Voting in the Verkhovna Rada for the draft law on mobilization in the second reading (t.me/yzheleznyak/8101)

As noted by MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak from the Holos party, the Parliament took into account 31 amendments of the relevant committee, as well as an amendment that removes the provision on demobilization from the document.

What law on mobilization provides for

The main provisions of the document are as follows:

• Instead of conscription, basic military service is introduced for a period of 5 (in peacetime) and 3 (in wartime) months. Ukrainians under the age of 24 will be able to choose the year and period of basic service.
• Basic general military training is being introduced. Starting in 2025, it will become an element of education in educational institutions and will be conducted in universities of all forms of ownership.
• There will be no need to go to the Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support to update your information. This can be done online in your account or at the center for the provision of administrative services. Citizens who are registered with the military can voluntarily create a personal electronic account of a conscript, a person liable for military service, or a reservist.
• The rule on the right to demobilization of people with disabilities, as well as demobilization in connection with the release from captivity (if the serviceman does not express a desire to continue service), remains.
• Those recognized as partially fit have to undergo a second military qualification examination.
• Servicemen who sign their first contract are entitled to compensation of 50% of the down payment on a loan secured by a mortgage.
• Those who received a disability group II - III after February 24, 2022 (except for military personnel) must undergo a second medical examination to determine their fitness for service.
• As for consular services abroad, it will be necessary to update personal data in the Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support within 60 days. This can be done remotely by e-mail, telephone, or through an e-cabinet.
• Restrictions on the right to drive for military service evaders. However, there are exceptions.
• When checking documents, an authorized representative of the territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support or a police officer will take photos and videos of the process of presenting and checking documents using technical devices and means of photo and video recording.
• It is necessary to have a military registration document with you and show it at the request of a representative of the Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support, a police officer, or the State Border Guard Service. It is required for the period of mobilization for all citizens aged 18 to 60 who are registered (or deregistered).

When new rules come into effect

From now on, when the bill is passed in the second reading (as a whole), according to the rules of procedure and the Constitution, the document must be signed by the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada and submitted to the President for signature. After that, the law comes into force a month later.

Draft law on mobilization and other changes

On December 25, the Cabinet of Ministers submitted to the Verkhovna Rada a draft law on mobilization, military registration, and military service. However, due to many comments, it was withdrawn on January 11. So on January 30, an updated draft law was submitted to the Rada, which passed the first reading on February 7. And today, accordingly, the second.

After that, the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense, and Intelligence considered more than 4,000 amendments to the bill submitted by MPs. On April 9, the Committee approved the text of the draft law on mobilization for the second reading.

The greatest resonance was caused by the fact that the provision on demobilization of the military after 36 months of continuous service was excluded from the document. This was done at the request of Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.

The government will now be instructed to draft a separate bill that will regulate the issue of dismissal from military service during the martial law regime. It is expected to be drafted within 8 months.

In addition, yesterday the Verkhovna Rada voted in favor of a separate bill in the first reading to increase responsibility for military offenses. It provides for increased fines.

The Parliament also voted in favor of a draft law on the mobilization of convicts in the first reading.

The mobilization age in Ukraine has been lowered to 25 years (previously it was 27 years). The relevant law was recently signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.