Zelenskyy signed a new law on mobilization in Ukraine: when will it come into force

On Tuesday, April 16, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the draft law No. 10449 on mobilization in Ukraine. The document will come into force in a month.

This is evidenced by information on the website of the Verkhovna Rada. "Returned with the President's signature," the bill card says.

The document, among other things, introduces basic general military training, repeated military qualification commission for those who are limitedly fit, and restrictions on driving for evaders.

At the same time, the draft law does not mention demobilization and rotation of the military.

According to the text of the document, as amended by the Verkhovna Rada Committee, this law will come into force one month after the day following its publication, except for paragraphs 12 and 13 of subparagraph 2 of paragraph 8 of Section I of this law (regarding amendments to paragraphs 4 and 5 of Article 6 of the Law "On Mobilization Preparation and Mobilization"), which will come into force eight months after the day following the day of publication of this law.

The Cabinet of Ministers was instructed, inter alia, to adopt regulations arising from paragraphs 4 and 5 of Article 6 of the Law "On Mobilization Training and Mobilization" within eight months of the publication of this law, as well as to develop and submit to the Verkhovna Rada a draft law on improving the mechanisms for rotation of military personnel under martial law, their discharge and medical and social rehabilitation.

As a reminder, on April 11, members of the Verkhovna Rada approved in the second reading draft law No. 10449 on mobilization. A total of 283 MPs voted in favor of the decision.

According to the rules of procedure and the Constitution of Ukraine, the document was to be signed by the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada and submitted to the President for signature, after which the law would come into force in a month.

What does the new law on mobilization provide for?

Among the main provisions of the adopted document:

– instead of conscription, basic military service is introduced for five (in peacetime) and three (in wartime) months. Ukrainians under the age of 24 will be able to choose the year and period of service;

– basic general military training is being introduced, which will become an element of education in universities of all forms of ownership starting in 2025 ;

– persons liable for military service will no longer need to go to the military registration and enlistment office to update their data. This can be done online in a personal account or at an ASC. Citizens who are registered with the military can voluntarily create a personal electronic account of a conscript, person liable for military service, or reservist;

– the rule on the right to demobilization of people with disabilities, as well as demobilization in connection with the release from captivity (if the serviceman does not wish to continue his service) remains;

– persons liable for military service who have been recognized as partially fit must re-appear for a military qualification commission;

– those who received a disability group II-III after February 24, 2022 (except for military personnel) must undergo a second medical examination to determine their fitness for service.

– military personnel, in case of signing the first contract, are entitled to compensation of 50% of the down payment on a loan secured by a mortgage.

The new law on mobilization also affects Ukrainian citizens of military age who are abroad. Thus, within 60 days, they will need to update their personal data in the CCP. This can be done remotely by email, telephone, or through an electronic cabinet.

The document provides for restrictions on the right to drive for military service evaders (although there are exceptions).

When checking the documents of persons liable for military service, an authorized representative of the TCC or a police officer will take photos and videos of the process of presenting and checking documents using technical devices and means of photo and video recording.

The new law obliges to have a military registration document with you and show it at the request of a representative of the CCC, a police officer, or the State Border Guard Service. For the period of mobilization, this applies to all citizens aged 18 to 60 who are registered or deregistered.

We would like to add that the draft law No. 10449 was criticized for excluding the provision on demobilization of the military after 36 months of continuous service. This was done at the request of Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi.

It is likely that the government will now be tasked with drafting a separate bill that will regulate the issue of dismissal from military service during the martial law regime. The deadline for its development is eight months.

In addition, on April 10, members of the Verkhovna Rada voted (in the first reading) for a separate draft law No. 10379 to increase responsibility for military offenses. It provides for fines for violation of military registration rules by conscripts, persons liable for military service and reservists, violation of laws on defense, military duty and military service, mobilization training and mobilization, in particular during martial law.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, the commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Yuriy Sodol spoke before the consideration of the draft law on mobilization No. 10449 in the Verkhovna Rada. He said that the Ukrainian army was holding the line with its last strength, so he urged MPs to support the bill.

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