Article 210-1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (CAO) establishes administrative responsibility for violations of the legislation on defense, mobilization training, and mobilization. That ...
22Sep
The Law of Ukraine on Military Duty and Military Service – What It Means in Simple Terms
The Law of Ukraine “On Military Duty and Military Service” No. 2232-XII was adopted on March 25, 1992. It defines what military duty is, who is registered with the military authorities, the types of military service, how citizens are sent for basic military service, how the service is carried out, and under what grounds a servicemember can be released. The current text of the document should be checked directly in the current edition of the Law of Ukraine “On Military Duty and Military Service” in the database of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. As of September 23, 2026, the document is in force; the current edition has been effective since August 6, 2026.
An important point. The Law of Ukraine on Military Duty and Military Service and the legislation on mobilization are not the same. The procedure for mobilization, some citizen obligations during mobilization, and grounds for deferment are regulated by a separate Law of Ukraine “On Mobilization Preparation and Mobilization”.
What Military Duty Means
Article 1 of the law interprets military duty much more broadly than just a person being in a military unit. It encompasses training, registration, service, being in the reserve, and fulfilling other requirements stipulated by law.
Military duty includes:
- preparation of citizens for military service;
- taking citizens into military registration;
- acceptance for military service under contract and conscription or direction to service;
- undergoing military service;
- fulfillment of military duty in the reserve;
- performing service in the military reserve;
- adherence to military registration rules;
The mere fact of a person’s registration does not mean that they are already undergoing military service. These are different legal statuses and legal procedures.
Draftee, serviceman liable for military service, and reservist – what is the difference?
Military registration covers draftees, servicemen liable for military service, and reservists. The status of a particular person depends on age, military training, service experience, and other circumstances provided by legislation.
Reaching a certain age or changing the military registration category does not automatically mean a person is sent to a military unit. For undergoing military service, appropriate legal grounds must exist.
What Types of Military Service the Law Provides
The Law of Ukraine on Military Service distinguishes several types of service. Their order of acceptance, duration, and grounds for release may differ.
The main types include:
- Basic military service.
- Military service by conscription during mobilization or special period.
- Military service under contract of enlisted personnel.
- Military service under contract of sergeants and senior enlisted personnel.
- Military service of cadets of military educational institutions.
- Military service under contract of officers.
- Military service by conscription of officers.
- Military service by conscription of reservist officers during special period.
Military service has the status of a state service of special nature. The law also sets rules regarding the counting of time spent in service towards related types of experience.
Basic Military Service – Who Undergoes It
By law, for undergoing basic military service, suitable-for-health male citizens of Ukraine registered as draftees and aged at least 18 but under 25 before the day of dispatch are sent. For women, undergoing basic military service is voluntary.
Basic military service should not be confused with military service by conscription during mobilization. These are different legal mechanisms with different grounds and procedures.
Main Duties of a Citizen
The Law of Ukraine on Military Duty and Military Service establishes not only the rules for serving but also a significant part concerns military registration and preparation of citizens.
For a citizen, this may mean the duty to:
- comply with military registration rules established by law;
- undergo medical examinations in cases prescribed by law;
- undergo preparation for military service as provided by legislation;
- fulfill military duty in the reserve;
- undergo military service if there are legal grounds for it;
The detailed rules on registration taking, maintenance of personal military records, and interaction between government bodies, enterprises, and citizens are defined by the Procedure for Organization and Conduct of Military Registration, approved by Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Resolution No. 1487. As of September 2026, this document is valid in the edition of June 27, 2026.
What Rights and Guarantees a Citizen Has
The law imposes not only duties. Citizens and servicemembers have rights and social guarantees provided by this and other laws of Ukraine.
Among them are:
- the right to undergo alternative non-military service in cases and order defined by the Constitution and law;
- the right to proper determination of fitness for military service according to established procedure;
- labor and social guarantees in cases prescribed by law;
- counting the time of military service towards types of experience defined by legislation;
The full list of rights of a servicemember is not contained in a single document. Besides Law No. 2232-XII, relevant issues are regulated by special laws, military service regulations, and other normative legal acts.
Article 18 of the Law of Ukraine on Military Duty
Article 18 of the Law of Ukraine on Military Duty regulates exemption from undergoing basic military service.
The law provides for such exemption, in particular, for draftees:
- who are recognized as unfit for military service due to health reasons;
- who have already undergone military service in another country before acquiring citizenship of Ukraine;
Exemption specifically from basic military service should not be automatically interpreted as full exemption from all other components of military duty. Legal consequences depend on the specific grounds and status of the person.
Article 26 of the Law of Ukraine on Military Duty – What It Regulates
Article 26 of the Law of Ukraine on Military Duty and Military Service has special practical significance. It determines grounds for releasing servicemembers from military service.
Depending on the type of service, period of service, and circumstances, the law provides various grounds, among which are:
- reaching the maximum age for staying in military service;
- health conditions defined by law;
- specific cases of conviction by a court verdict that has come into legal force;
- family circumstances and other valid reasons provided by law;
- other special grounds directly stipulated by Article 26;
Article 26 has a complex structure with many points and subpoints. Therefore, in a particular situation, it is necessary to check the current edition of the law and the exact norm addressing the relevant category of servicemember.
The Law of Ukraine on Military Duty and Military Service of Women
Registration of a woman for military service and actually undergoing service are different legal concepts. Military registration itself does not mean automatic sending of a woman to service.
The law defines the specifics of military duty for women, and additional rules may depend on the specialty obtained, profession, and military registration status.
Special rules for military registration are established, in particular, for women with medical or pharmaceutical specializations. Therefore, in such a situation, it is necessary to consider not only the main law but also the current procedure for military registration.
How Military Duty Differs from Mobilization
These terms are often confused. Military duty is a broader concept. It includes military registration, training, service, and being in reserve and military reserve.
Mobilization has its own legal regulation. Its legal basis, organization, powers of state bodies, and citizens’ duties are defined by the Law of Ukraine “On Mobilization Preparation and Mobilization” No. 3543-XII. As of September 23, 2026, this law is also in force.
Therefore, the answer to the question “Is a person subject to mobilization?” cannot be obtained solely from the Law of Ukraine “On Military Duty and Military Service.” It is necessary to consider the mobilization legislation, the person’s military registration status, and the specific circumstances, including the education received for determining fitness for military service.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Law of Ukraine on Military Duty and Military Service
No. Military registration and mobilization are different legal procedures. The mobilization procedure is regulated by the Law of Ukraine “On Mobilization Preparation and Mobilization,” as well as other regulatory acts.
Under the current edition of the law, male citizens from 18 up to not yet 25 years old who are fit for health and registered as draftees are sent. For women, basic military service is voluntary.
No. Turning 25 may be a reason for changing military registration from draftee to serviceman liable for service. It by itself is not an order to send the person to a military unit.
As a general rule, no. The law provides for voluntary military service for women, including during martial law. At the same time, military registration and military service are different legal issues.
No. Military duty in the meaning of the law does not apply to foreigners and stateless persons. However, the law allows them to voluntarily enter military service under contract in certain cases.
For legally significant information, it is best to use the official database “Legislation of Ukraine” of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. There the current text of the Law of Ukraine “On Military Duty and Military Service” No. 2232-XII and the history of its editions are published.
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