The Rada proposes to demobilise men under 25 who have already been drafted into the army

This draft law was submitted to Parliament on 23 October 2024.

The authors of the draft law propose to dismiss men who have not reached the age of 25 from military service if they:

• are recognised as unfit for service in peacetime for health reasons;
• are recognised as being of limited fitness for service in wartime.

However, servicemen in this category may continue their service if they express such a wish. The bill has been sent for consideration by the relevant committee.

The adoption of this law, according to the authors, will ensure equality of all persons liable for military service under 25 years of age with regard to voluntary service during mobilisation.

Earlier, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a decision to stop mobilisation of men under 25 years of age, who for health reasons were declared restricted fit in peacetime, but could be mobilised in wartime. 311 MPs voted in favour of this decision. However, the issue of demobilising such servicemen was postponed as the National Security Committee excluded this provision from the draft law at the initiative of the General Staff for further elaboration.

According to MP Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, a separate draft law on the demobilisation of this category of servicemen is being prepared, but the deadline for its adoption may be delayed by several months.