Mobilization in Ukraine: new rules, deferrals, and changes in the TRC

Mobilization in Ukraine: new rules, deferrals, and changes in the TRC

In the context of martial law, which has been extended in Ukraine until May 9, 2025, the issue of mobilization remains important for society. Men aged 25 to 60 are subject to mobilization, but different rules apply to young men under 25. One of the key innovations is the "Contract 18–24" program, which provides an opportunity for young people to voluntarily join the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine under attractive conditions.

In addition, new innovations have been introduced in Ukraine in the sphere of mobilization, including new deferrals in the Reserve+ application.

New deferrals in Reserve+ in April

On March 27, the Ministry of Defence announced the appearance of new types of deferrals in the Reserve+ application. Deferrals have been added for people with disabilities whose data are in the Unified Information System of the Social Sphere (UISS).

To apply for deferral, you need to click on the three dots on the main screen of the Reserve+ application, select the "Submit request for deferral" option, and then the appropriate category, according to the ministry’s statement.

Subsequently, the conscript will receive a notification in Reserve+ with the result. If data is not found in the registers, the Ministry of Defence advises contacting the social protection department at the place of residence.

The Reserve+ application from the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine allows conscripts to apply for deferrals from mobilization in electronic format. Among the categories of citizens who can use this function are:

• students, postgraduates, and doctoral candidates: individuals studying full-time in higher education institutions;
• people with disabilities;
• parents with many children who have three or more children under the age of 18.

Will there be changes in the work of TRC in April

Ukraine’s Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets reported systemic and widespread violations of citizens’ rights during mobilization activities. He reported this in his address on March 26.

According to him, cases of illegal detentions and violence by workers of recruitment and social support centers (TRC and SS) have become a common practice:

There is a feeling that illegal detentions and beatings by representatives of the TRC and SS have become a new viral trend that cannot be stopped without a strong state response.

Lubinets emphasized that he is ready to present a detailed analysis of the situation in Parliament, but there were not enough votes to summon him for a report.

The main violations recorded by the Ombudsman’s Office:

• Physical violence – beating citizens during detentions on the streets, in shopping centers, and near the metro.
• Intentional accidents – cases where TRC and SS workers run over cyclists or motorcyclists to forcibly stop them.
• Limiting the right to defence – preventing lawyers from accessing detainees and hiding information about their whereabouts.
• Forced signing of documents – forcing people to sign summonses without explaining the legal consequences.
• Illegal detentions – mobilization of citizens who have a legal right to deferral or are not subject to conscription, such as students, people with disabilities, citizens caring for seriously ill relatives.

Lubinets emphasized that the situation requires an immediate state response to uphold human rights in the mobilization process.

Will mobilization continue despite peace talks

Ukraine and Russia, with US mediation, are negotiating a temporary truce. At the same time, this will not affect the mobilization process, said Oleh Dombrovskyi, the spokesman for the "West" Operational Command of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

According to Channel 24, referring to his speech on the telethon, the pace of mobilization does not depend on external factors.

The General Staff is fulfilling the planned task of mobilizing human resources to replenish the Defence and Security Forces for tasks related to repelling and deterring Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine, Dombrovskyi stressed.

He also noted that public opinion may change under the influence of various events, but the main task is to create conditions under which Ukraine will continue its struggle.

Who cannot be mobilized in Ukraine in April

In Ukraine, some citizens have the right to deferment or complete exemption from mobilization due to health, family circumstances, professional activities, or other factors. According to the law, men younger than 25 and older than 60 are not subject to mobilization.

Categories of citizens who are not subject to mobilization:

1. Due to health. Persons with disabilities of groups I–III or those declared unfit for military service for medical reasons are not subject to mobilization.

2. Due to family circumstances:

• individuals supporting three or more children under the age of 18;
• single fathers or mothers who independently raise minor children;
• guardians, custodians, foster parents raising orphans or children with disabilities;
• individuals caring for seriously ill family members (spouses, children, parents);
• citizens who have a spouse with a disability or parents with group I or II disability;
• guardians of incapacitated persons or persons requiring constant care if no other citizens can perform this function;
• military personnel if both spouses are serving and have minor children, as well as pregnant military personnel.

3. Due to relatives’ death: citizens whose close relatives (husband, wife, children, parents, grandfather, grandmother, siblings) died or went missing due to military actions are not subject to mobilization.

4. Students and educators:

• students of vocational and higher education institutions, postgraduates, and doctoral candidates studying full-time or dual-mode;
• scientific and pedagogical workers if they work at their main place of employment for at least 0.75 of the rate.

5. Due to professional activity:

• employees of critically important enterprises and organizations;
• members of the Ukrainian and Crimea parliaments, judges, military management bodies’ employees, Ministry of Defence, Armed Forces of Ukraine, State Border Guard Service, SES, Security Service of Ukraine, National Police, National Guard, State Special Communications Service, Ministry of Internal Affairs’ apparatus, etc.

6. Temporary exemption from mobilization is granted to:

• citizens who served under conscription during mobilization and were discharged to the reserve (excluding those enrolled in the first-stage operational reserve) – they are not subject to conscription for 6 months after discharge;
• individuals who received deferral by decision of the military-medical commission (MMC) due to health – for up to 6 months.

These rules define the categories of citizens who have the right to deferment or exemption from mobilization under current Ukrainian legislation.

Who can travel abroad in April

During martial law in Ukraine, most men aged 18 to 60 have restrictions on traveling abroad. However, there are exceptions:

• Men aged 18 to 22 may travel abroad if they are participants in academic mobility for one semester and study full-time for a bachelor’s or master’s degree in medical, pharmaceutical, or veterinary fields.

• Military personnel are entitled to travel abroad for vacation or study with approval from the military unit.
• Men over 60 have the right to travel abroad.

Note that rules may change, so it is recommended to regularly check the latest information and consult the relevant government bodies before planning a trip abroad.

How to mobilize from age 18 in April

In Ukraine, men aged 25 to 60 are subject to mobilization. Younger individuals can join the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) on a voluntary basis. In particular, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has introduced an initiative called "Contract 18–24," aimed at attracting young people aged 18 to 24 to contract service.

Ukrainian legislation states that men aged 25 to 60 are subject to mobilization. Younger individuals can only join the AFU voluntarily. This means that young men aged 18-24 cannot be forcibly mobilized but have the opportunity to sign a contract for military service at their discretion.

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has introduced the "Contract 18–24" program, which involves signing one-year contracts for young people aged 18 to 24. Participants in this program receive financial support and social benefits, including:

• standard payments for military personnel up to 120,000 UAH per month, as well as a cash bonus: 200,000 UAH immediately upon signing the contract and 800,000 UAH in two installments during its term;
• zero-interest mortgage opportunity;
• state-funded education;
• free medical care, including dental prosthetics;
• the right to travel abroad after one year of service.

The law also guarantees exemption from mobilization for 12 months after completing the contract.

Can they mobilize after age 55

In Ukraine, during martial law, men aged 18 to 60 are subject to mobilization. However, involving older individuals has certain peculiarities.

Men aged 50 to 60 can be mobilized on general grounds, considering their health and fitness for military service. They are usually involved in performing tasks in the logistics sections, such as drivers, logisticians, or other rear units. This is because the physical demands of combat units may be excessive for older individuals.

It is worth noting that the mobilization of men in this age category often occurs when there is a shortage of military registration specialties or to staff rear units. These decisions are made based on mobilization orders from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Important! Recently, a bill №12222 was introduced in Parliament to lower the maximum mobilization age from 60 to 55 years. This initiative is supported by the General Staff of the AFU, but at the moment it has not yet come into force.

Therefore, men aged 50 to 60 may be mobilized, especially if they have necessary specialties or can perform tasks in rear units. However, the final decision depends on the needs of the Armed Forces and current legislation.