Armor, fines, automatic registration: what awaits Ukrainians in 2026
31 December 16:48
From January 2026, due to the increase in the minimum wage, many Ukrainians will lose their mobilization reservations. That is, if now you need to receive UAH 20,000, then in January this amount should be UAH 21,617.50. In fact, there will be many changes in the mobilization system starting next year. Komersant found out which ones.
In Ukraine, mobilization will continue in 2026, and the reason is obvious: martial law is in effect at least until February 2026, and general mobilization is automatically extended with it. The government is already preparing a number of changes to conscription, training, reservations, deferrals, and internal rules in the military.
If you don’t earn enough, you lose your armor
One of the key conditions for reservations from the army is the level of remuneration: to keep the reservation, the employer must pay the employee at least 2.5 minimum wages. The minimum wage will remain at UAH 8,000 until the end of 2025, but the state budget for 2026 envisages an increase to UAH 8,647. The increase will take place on January 1.
Thus, the minimum salary for booking now must be at least UAH 20 thousand, and from January 2026 – at least UAH 21,617.5. It is important to note that this amount is accrued, i.e. gross salary. That is, it includes not only the salary, but also all other payments included in the payroll (bonuses, allowances, etc.). This means that those whose salaries are not increased to the required level will lose their armor.
According to the lawyers, starting from January 1, those who made reservations at the minimum wage should prepare to receive a summons. TCCs will not miss this chance.
In general, in 2026, the reservation system for employees liable for military service will change, especially in the defense industry and critical enterprises.
A temporary reservation for 45 days is being introduced, inspections of enterprises are being accelerated, and reservations are promised to be issued in 24 hours, provided that the data is submitted correctly.
Delivery of subpoenas in a new way
The procedure for serving summonses in 2026 will become even broader, as summonses can be served not only by TCCs (territorial recruitment centers), but also by local authorities and enterprises. The call can be issued virtually anywhere, including the workplace.
Young men will be registered automatically
Starting from 01.01.2026, all young men who turn 17 within a year, regardless of their month of birth, will automatically be registered for military service in Ukraine.
The procedure will take place within a clearly defined timeframe – from January 1 to July 31, 2026. The new rules are fundamentally different from the previous ones: no medical commissions or personal visits are required at the first stage. The emphasis is on digitalization – data is automatically pulled from state registers, and the key tool is the Reserve app. In fact, it is a registration without physical contact, but with legal consequences.
In 2026, the minimum fine will be 17 thousand hryvnias, and the maximum – 25,500.
Moreover, sanctions are not the only leverage. The absence of a military registration stamp can create problems when applying to universities and official employment. Thus, military registration becomes not just an obligation, but a filter for access to basic social opportunities.
Deferrals for guardians remain
Starting from the new year, the following persons, in addition to enlisted employees, may apply for the right to deferment
- those with any disability group, as well as those recognized as temporarily unfit by the MEC;
- those who are receiving their first consecutive higher education on a full-time or dual form;
- parents with many children (3 or more children), single parents, guardians of children with disabilities, and persons who provide full-time care for disabled relatives (in the absence of other caregivers);
- citizens whose relatives were killed or went missing while defending Ukraine.
Positive changes also affected socially vulnerable categories. The procedure for obtaining a deferral has been simplified for caregivers of persons in need of care. Now, it is enough to have the taxpayer registration number of the person being cared for, without the need to collect additional certificates. This should reduce the burden on families and speed up decision-making.
Author: Alla Dunina
