Mobilization in Ukraine
On February 24, the first day of Russia's war against Ukraine, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared martial law in the country. On the same day, the president announced a general mobilization of men and women liable for military service.
What mobilization is
Mobilization is a set of measures aimed at bringing the country's armed forces and state infrastructure onto a war footing. It is introduced in connection with emergency circumstances – most often because of wars or armed conflicts.
The February mobilization in Ukraine is a forced measure introduced by the authorities to protect the country. After mobilization is announced, men and women liable for military service begin to be called up to the Armed Forces of Ukraine for training and service.
Mobilization in the country has been in effect since February 24. This measure will last 90 days, or 3 months.
General mobilization in Ukraine – who is subject to conscription
Fit persons liable for military service and reservists – that is, citizens of Ukraine who:
- Are at least 18 years old;
- Are not older than 60;
- Are in the reserve – reservists.
Even before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, on February 22, Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the call-up of reservists – the president explained that the call-up would take place for a special period.
The military operational reserve includes:
- Servicemen discharged from military service after being called up during mobilization;
- Those who have been discharged from compulsory military service;
- And servicemen discharged from contract service.
Mobilization in Ukraine – who does not have to go to war
The following persons liable for military service cannot be called up:
- Those who work in state authorities and have a deferment from their local self-government body, enterprise or institution;
- Those unfit for service for health reasons;
- Women and men who have more than 3 children, raise a child under 18 on their own, or care for a child with a disability or an orphan;
- People's Deputies of Ukraine;
- Those receiving higher or professional pre-higher education;
- People whose close relatives were killed or went missing.
Mobilization of women – do they have to fight
Women liable for military service who are on the military register and have skills useful under martial law in the country may be mobilized. However, unlike men, women are called up exclusively on a voluntary basis.
The Ministry of Defense recently updated the list of professions for which women liable for military service must register – but this does not mean that women in these professions are now obliged to go to war.
If a woman liable for military service is called up, she will most likely help in the rear and provide professional assistance.
Mobilization is more than successful
According to Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar, as of March 11 the recruitment centers are overloaded – a record number of people want to defend Ukraine from the Russian occupiers.
The further mobilization plan will depend on the course of events at the front, said Roman Horbach, head of the personnel department of the headquarters of the Ground Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. At the moment, mobilization in the regions is neither needed nor planned – Ukrainians are resisting the enemy with dignity and inflicting devastating losses on it. There are more than enough Ukrainian fighters to defend our state, so there will be no mobilization in the near future.
Read more news about mobilization, changes in conscription and new details on Channel 24.