The Ukrainian government has approved a draft law on amendments to the Law on Mobilization Preparation and Mobilization, affecting students and teachers. According to "Ukrainskaya Pravda", the bill changes the list of persons not subject to mobilization and limits the age of students who can claim a deferral.
Deferral of mobilization will be provided to those who are under 25 years old at the time of entering an educational institution, are receiving education for the first time and are studying full-time.
Government representative Taras Melnychuk and Minister of Education Oksen Lesnoy announced that the draft will be submitted for consideration to the Verkhovna Rada. Lesnoy stressed that the aim of the proposals is to reduce the risk of using education as a way to avoid mobilization. In April 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law that reduces the mobilization age from 27 to 25. The same law eliminates the category of "limitedly fit", meaning that individuals who were previously considered partially fit for military service can now be mobilized after a repeated medical examination. Ukrainian law provides for penalties for those who try to avoid mobilization. According to "Ukrainskaya Pravda", the bill also provides for summonses to be sent to the conscript's electronic account. These measures are aimed at increasing the size of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and preventing evasion of military service through the abuse of educational or other mechanisms.