A new stage of mobilization: what changes are being prepared by the Ministry of Defense and what conscripts should expect
6 March 19:41
Mobilization in Ukraine may undergo further changes in the near future. Parliament reports that the Ministry of Defense is preparing proposals to update the rules for conscription into military service, which may affect both the mobilization mechanism itself and the responsibility for violating military registration. In particular, this concerns the digitization of processes, the improvement of the system for delivering summonses, and other control tools.
Some details of the upcoming innovations have already been announced by MPs and experts. According to them, mobilization in 2026 may take place under updated rules, which should make the system more efficient and transparent. Komersant looked into what exactly is planned to be changed, who can be drafted into the army, and what new mechanisms the authorities are considering.
In the near future, parliament may receive a draft of changes and proposals from the Ministry of Defense to update the rules for conscription into military service. According to MPs, such initiatives may be submitted soon. Also, according to a statement by Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, one possible way to strengthen conscription could be to involve foreigners who could theoretically join Ukraine’s fight against Russian occupation forces.
Yegor Cherniev, a representative of the parliamentary committee on national security, defense, and intelligence, said in a comment to the media that mobilization in Ukraine is currently taking place in accordance with legislation passed in 2024. At the same time, he added that the Ministry of Defense is already working on certain changes.
“When the Minister of Defense submits his proposals, we will consider them,” said Yegor Cherniev.
Meanwhile, some Telegram channels are spreading information that violators of mobilization legislation and those who have not registered for military service may in the future have their bank accounts blocked and their right to drive revoked. However, it should be noted that such sanctions are already provided for by current legislation.
The relevant committee of the Verkhovna Rada also admits that the issue of updating the rules on blocking bank accounts may be discussed. This will likely apply to men who have not registered for military service.
It is possible that a separate bill with relevant mobilization changes will be prepared for this purpose, which will then be put to a vote in the Verkhovna Rada.
Possible changes in mobilization: what may be updated
With the arrival of the new defense minister, certain changes may occur in the mobilization system. They will likely primarily concern the digitization of processes and the improvement of the mechanism for delivering summonses. This was stated in an exclusive comment for
According to him, the emergence of new initiatives is quite expected, since the ministry is now headed by a person with different professional experience.
“I think it is logical that after two months, the new defense minister should introduce some changes, because he is a completely different person from a different field. Therefore, most likely, the changes will be in the direction of digitization,” the lawyer said.
According to Feshchenko, some of the processes related to citizens’ interaction with territorial recruitment centers may move online.
“Perhaps the mobilization mechanism itself will be undermined in a digital version. For example, appeals to the TCC and certain visits to the TCC may become more online,” he explained.
In particular, this may also apply to access to medical documents.
“Medical examination commissions, protocols, commission conclusions, and medical certificates will likely become available to people in digital format. Currently, these conclusions are uploaded to an electronic system, but people themselves do not yet have access to them,” the lawyer added.
The problem with summonses and courts
According to the lawyer, one of the main problems with the current system is the difficulty of proving that a summons has been delivered.
“If the summons system worked properly, there would be no cases of illegal mobilization. The fact of delivery of the summons must be clearly confirmed,” he stressed.
Feshchenko notes that currently, most fines for failure to appear before the TCC are being appealed in court.
“Almost all TCC fines for failure to appear are being challenged in court because the delivery procedure is often violated, and it is difficult for the TCC to prove that a person has violated it,” the lawyer explained.
Summonses can be sent via “Reserve”
One possible solution to this problem could be the electronic delivery of summonses through the state application “Reserve.“
“Perhaps summonses will be introduced through “Reserve.” As much as many people may not want this, it is a logical, correct, and effective solution for fulfilling the constitutional duty of conscripts,” Feshchenko believes.
He noted that the service is already actively used by citizens.
“Reserve is quite convenient now: you can pay fines, check whether you are wanted, and submit documents there. This greatly simplifies the process,” the lawyer explained.
At the same time, the mechanism for delivering summonses may work on the principle of confirming that the message has been read.
“Perhaps it will be done so that the message will have a read confirmation function, as in email or messengers. If a person has seen the message in the program, the summons will be considered delivered,” he suggested.
Can bank accounts of “evaders” be blocked?
The lawyer also commented on widespread information about the possible blocking of bank accounts of violators of mobilization legislation. According to him, such a procedure is currently only possible by court order or within the framework of enforcement proceedings.
“The seizure of funds in accounts is possible in criminal proceedings by court order or in civil proceedings. In the case of violations of military registration, this can occur through fines and their subsequent collection by the enforcement service,” he explained.
In such cases, the seizure is imposed only on the amount of the debt.
“If the fine is 25,500 hryvnia and goes to the enforcement service, it doubles to 51,000 plus enforcement fees and expenses. As a result, the amount can increase to approximately 57,000 hryvnia,” the lawyer noted.
However, a significant portion of such decisions are overturned in court.
“A lot of fines are successfully appealed by lawyers, after which the seizures are lifted from the accounts,” Feshchenko added.
According to the lawyer, the introduction of a separate procedure for mass blocking of bank accounts is unlikely.
“I very much doubt that there will be any serious innovations in the form of administrative account blocking. Currently, restrictions are only possible in criminal cases or due to debts,” he concluded.
Thus, the main changes in the field of mobilization are likely to concern not new sanctions, but the digitization of procedures and the improvement of the communication system between the state and conscripts.
