The TCC has explained why mobile phones are being confiscated during mobilisation
This was explained by Major Myroslava Lyashuk, a representative of the Vinnytsia Territorial Centre for Recruitment and Social Support.
Why are phones confiscated during mobilisation?
Ukrainians are increasingly asking why mobile phones are temporarily confiscated from conscripts during mobilisation or when they undergo a military medical examination.
According to Myroslava Lyashuk, a representative of the Vinnytsia Territorial Military Commissariat and the Special Forces, the reason is linked not only to internal regulations but also to the safety of military personnel.
She explained that the medical examination centre is a restricted facility where a large number of personnel are present at any one time.
“Regarding the use of mobile phones. For example, a citizen is undergoing a medical examination. This is a restricted facility where a large number of personnel are present. The use of mobile phones may affect the safety of other military personnel,” said Lyashuk.
What risks does the TCC cite?
The TCC notes that mobile phones may not be issued until the checks are completed and the psychological state of the prospective serviceman has been assessed.
According to Lyashuk, it is also currently unknown whether the conscripted citizen is collaborating with the Russian Federation.
“What guarantees are there that this person is not working with representatives of the Russian Federation and cannot pass on their location coordinates to them?” she said.
The report notes that in practice, due to the confiscation of their mobile phones, mobilised individuals are sometimes unable to immediately inform their families of what has happened to them.
Mobilisation in Ukraine
In Ukraine, martial law and general mobilisation officially remain in force until 2 August 2026.
Men of military age between 25 and 60 are subject to conscription, provided they are fit for service and are not entitled to a deferment.
For senior officers, the age limit is 65.
Who may be called up first
No major changes to the mobilisation rules are expected from 1 June.
At the same time, the Ministry of Defence has announced an update to the “Reserve+” app and a change in approach to army recruitment.
Instead of mass conscription, the focus is to shift towards recruiting specialists in short supply based on their experience.
This applies, in particular, to medics, drivers and IT specialists.
In practice, priority may be given to conscripting people with combat experience, those who are medically fit, as well as conscripts with specialisations required by the military.
Who is eligible for deferment
Men under the age of 25 are entitled to a deferment or exemption from service if they have not served previously.
This also applies to parents of large families with no outstanding maintenance payments, single parents, carers of people with disabilities, students undertaking higher education for the first time, postgraduate students and lecturers.
A separate exemption applies to employees of critical infrastructure and enterprises.
A decision by the Medical Examination Commission (VLC) declaring a person unfit for service due to serious illnesses, including mental disorders, cancer, heart conditions, HIV and other diseases, may also serve as grounds for exemption from conscription.
Even if martial law is lifted, demobilisation will only take place by a separate presidential decree.
New exemption rules
Ukraine is also introducing new rules for reserving conscripts for critical enterprises.
They are expected to come into effect in mid-June.
The updated system is based on three components.
The average salary of an employee must be at least 25,941 UAH, and for frontline areas – 21,600 UAH.
The rules for part-time workers are also changing.
Furthermore, all authorities must re-approve the criteria for the criticality of enterprises with the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Economy within a month.
In July and August, businesses will renegotiate their criticality status.
At the same time, the overall limit on reserved positions will not change significantly and is expected to remain within the range of 1.1–1.3 million people.
The new rules are also intended to eliminate abuses involving the duplication of quotas: part-time workers subject to military service will be counted towards the reservation quota only once at a single chosen company.
Follow us on Telegram
