The request to lift the reservation status for medics is not widespread and pertains exclusively to the specific staffing needs of medical units within the AFU

In response to media reports about the alleged widespread removal of reservation status for medical workers, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine provides the following clarification. 

The Ministry of Defence’s request to the Ministry of Health concerns not all medical professionals but a limited number of specialists who have undergone training in military specialties and are currently critically needed to staff units of the Medical Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, particularly in the Ground Forces.

The request pertains to the following positions:

• Combat paramedics (nurses);
• Medical assistants;
• Officers liable for military service, trained in ‘general medicine (family doctor)’ and certain other specialties, who are planned to be enlisted for a one-year contract.

This request is due to a systematic shortage of medical personnel in medical units. Following the enactment of Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 36, dated January 14, 2025, which mandates 100% reservation for medics, a risk to providing medical support for service members has arisen due to a shortage of qualified medical personnel. 

The decision to lift reservation status will apply solely to critically needed specialties and only to those professionals identified by the Ministry of Health in coordination with regional health departments. In accordance with current legislation, these professionals will be able to sign a fixed-term contract and take up positions in military units that currently require reinforcement.

The Law of Ukraine ‘On Military Duty and Military Service’ establishes a one-year term of military service during martial law for Ukrainian citizens with medical education who are recruited for military service under a contract in medical roles. 

Under this law, such contracts are exempt from extensions beyond the established term. Accordingly, service members serving under these contracts will be discharged once the contract term expires, unless they indicate a wish to extend their military service.