Denial of business criticality: The Office of the President has refuted the rumors
6 May 12:54
Reports about the alleged revocation of the “critical enterprise” status—which grants businesses the right to retain some of their employees subject to military conscription—are part of an information and psychological operation. This was stated by Viktor Mykyta, Deputy Head of the Office of the President, on his Telegram channel, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
According to him, such reports only scare businesses and fail to take into account the role of enterprises in supporting the country’s economy and defense capabilities.
Mykita emphasized that the reservation quota of 50% of the total number of employees subject to military conscription is already a critical threshold for the normal operation of many enterprises.
The Office of the President responded to rumors about the cancellation of critical status
Deputy Head of the Office of the President Viktor Mykyta stated that reports of a possible cancellation of enterprises’ critical status do not correspond to the actual logic of how the economy functions during wartime.
According to him, there is no need to create panic among businesses and entrepreneurs, as critical status is not a privilege but a mechanism that allows enterprises to continue operating, pay taxes, and support the state.
“There is no need to scare businesses and entrepreneurs with the abolition of critical status, as if it were some kind of indulgence. A reservation quota of 50% of the total workforce is a percentage that, in and of itself, is already the critical threshold for the functioning of any enterprise,” Mykyta noted.
Critical status allows enterprises to reserve a portion of their employees subject to military conscription. This is necessary so that companies can maintain operations, fulfill contracts, manufacture products, provide services, and pay taxes.
Businesses paid approximately 1.2 trillion UAH in taxes
Viktor Mykyta noted that in 2025, businesses paid approximately 1.2 trillion UAH in taxes and fees to Ukraine’s consolidated budget.
These funds are directed toward financing the state, specifically toward the pay of the Armed Forces, the operation of critical sectors, social benefits, and other national needs during the war.
According to the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office, a strong economy is the foundation of defense capability. If businesses lose the ability to operate, the state will lose part of the revenue needed to support the army and keep the country functioning.
Mykita criticized discussions about abolishing critical status
The Deputy Head of the Presidential Office also spoke out sharply against those who spread or support discussions about abolishing critical status for enterprises.
“These funds also went toward the salaries of officials who sit behind their desks in nice suits and generate this IPSO regarding so-called discussions about abolishing criticality status for enterprises,” he added.
Mykita emphasized that such rhetoric could harm business and create additional tension among employers and employees.
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Abolishing critical status will not solve the mobilization problem
The Office of the President believes that abolishing the critical status of enterprises will not automatically replenish the ranks of the Defense Forces.
Mykita stated that such a move could have the opposite effect and encourage some people to look for ways to avoid mobilization, rather than strengthening the country’s defense.
“Abolishing critical status does not mean automatically transferring employees to the Defense Forces, but rather the opposite—it sends them toward the Tisa River,” he noted.
According to Mykyta, instead of putting pressure on honest taxpayers, the focus should be on the real problems of the mobilization process.
He mentioned the more than 2 million Ukrainians of draft age who have not updated their information, as well as the 200,000 military personnel who have deserted their units.
“So don’t ‘sell hot air’ or ‘miracle cures,’ but direct your efforts toward developing mechanisms to enlist in the defense of our country the more than 2 million Ukrainians of draft age who haven’t updated their information, and the 200,000 servicemen who have deserted their units. Once you’ve sorted this out, we’ll talk about lifting the criticality status for honest taxpayers,” Mykyta stated.
The Deputy Head of the Presidential Office emphasized that effective defense capabilities are impossible without a strong economy.
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