At the initiative of the Ministry of Defence, the Parliament has simplified the military registration process for conscripts

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has supported Draft Law No. 12076, amending the Law of Ukraine ‘On Military Duty and Military Service.’ This legislation significantly simplifies the procedure for registering conscripts and modernizes the overall registration system.

From now on, 17-year-old male citizens will have the option to register in the military register of conscripts using one of two available methods: through the ‘Electronic Cabinet of a Conscript,’ using electronic identification, or by personally visiting the Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center (enlistment office). 

An important change is the elimination of the Commission responsible for the military registration of conscripts and the initial medical examination. Instead, medical examinations will be mandatory immediately before conscripts begin basic military service and before practical exercises in basic general military training (BGMT), which is scheduled to be introduced in higher education institutions in 2025.

The draft law also outlines valid reasons for the inability to register, including: 

• illness of the conscript;

• natural calamity;

• residing in temporarily occupied territory or a combat zone;

• other circumstances that prevent electronic identification or personal attendance at enlistment office.

Considerable emphasis is placed on the matter of military registration of women. Those wishing to undertake basic military service will be registered as conscripts upon their request. Upon completing their service, they will be registered in the military register of individuals liable for military service.

Other key changes include:

• The military rank of recruit will be assigned to enlisted personnel from the start of basic military service until the completion of their basic general military training (BGMT). After completing BGMG, they will be assigned the military rank of soldier/sailor;

• Enlistment for military service under contract is open to enlisted personnel who are Ukrainian citizens, including those currently serving in basic military service, as well as individuals aged 18 and older who have not previously served in the military, but only if they have completed basic general military training; 

• Providing military unit commanders with the additional authority to call up reservists and individuals liable for military service on the day of their voluntary arrival at the military units.

The adopted changes aim to optimize the system of military registration for conscripts and adapt it to modern conditions, making the process more efficient and accessible to Ukrainian citizens.