Verkhovna Rada passes first reading of draft law granting deferment for 18–24-year-old contract soldiers

According to an Ukrinform correspondent, legislative initiative No. 13574 was supported by 283 Members of Parliament.

The draft law proposes to establish that “persons liable for military service and reservists who, during the period of martial law, were accepted for military service under a one-year contract from among citizens aged 18 to 25 and were discharged from military service on the grounds defined in subparagraph ‘a’ of paragraph 2, subparagraph ‘zh’ of paragraph 3 of part five of Article 26 of the Law of Ukraine ‘On Military Duty and Military Service’ shall not be subject to conscription for military service during mobilization for 12 months. Such individuals may be called up for military service during this period only with their consent.”

According to the explanatory note to the draft law, the introduction of this new ground for deferment from conscription during mobilization will allow persons liable for military service and reservists time for rest and, if necessary, for medical and social rehabilitation.

Implementation of this legislative initiative will create additional motivational factors that will influence the willingness of citizens aged 18 to 25 to sign one-year contracts for military service in the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine.

Moreover, such additional motivational factors will encourage citizens aged 18 to 25 to enter one-year contracts, thereby expanding the sources for staffing military units within Ukraine’s Security and Defense Forces with motivated servicemen.

As reported by Ukrinform, the “18–24 Contract” program will be expanded to all combat units of the Defense Forces.

Photo: 10th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade “Edelweiss” / Facebook