From 1 May, conscription will continue to take place in accordance with the current rules, with no changes
In May, the mobilisation rules in Ukraine will remain in force unchanged if martial law is extended. It is currently in force until 4 May 2026. Despite discussions regarding new legislative initiatives, the conscription procedure is governed by the existing regulations.
Under the Law ‘On Mobilisation Preparation and Mobilisation’, the conscription age covers men aged 18 to 60. At the same time, the decisive factor is one’s status as a person liable for military service.
Men under the age of 25 who have not served and are not in the reserve are considered conscripts and are not subject to mobilisation. They may enlist voluntarily on a contract basis.
Those who have already served or have military training are granted the status of conscripts and may be called up even before reaching the age of 25.
The main category for mobilisation consists of men aged 25 and over who are liable for military service and have no grounds for deferment or exemption from service.
The upper age limit is 60, though for senior officers it may extend to 65. Individuals over 60 may continue to serve on a contractual basis subject to an appropriate decision.
The priority categories for mobilisation include men aged between 25 and 60 with no military experience, provided they are fit for service and have no deferment or exemption.
Men aged between 18 and 60 who have already served or have conscript status, including reserve officers, may also be called up.
Separately, citizens who were previously removed from military registration on health grounds but were deemed fit following a re-examination by a military medical commission may be called up.
Furthermore, individuals who previously held ‘limited fitness’ status may be called up, as this status has been abolished and decisions are now made based on the results of a medical examination.
At the same time, a number of draft laws relating to mobilisation have been registered in the Verkhovna Rada. In particular, draft law No. 15086 provides for the introduction of an adaptation period following training, during which military personnel are not to be deployed in combat operations. The document is currently under consideration.
Other initiatives – Nos. 15114, 15115 and 15116 – concern increased liability for violations during mobilisation. In particular, they propose the automatic cancellation of fines imposed without legal grounds, as well as the introduction of liability for TCC staff for unlawful actions.
