Draft bill #10379 of December 25, 2023 

Sponsor: the Cabinet of Ministers 

Status: adopted in the first reading 

Who is affected: conscripts, persons subject to military service, reservists, the Security Service of Ukraine, Foreign Intelligence Service, and Armed Forces 

Summary: 

  • fines for violations of laws on defense, military duty, military service, mobilization preparation, and mobilization will be increased: 
    • during peacetime, such offenses will be punished with a fine from 2,000 to 5,000 non-taxable minimum incomes (from 34,000 to 85,000 UAH) 
    • during mobilization, martial law, and partially during the post-war reconstruction period, a fine for such offenses will be from 9,000 to 12,000 non-taxable minimum incomes (from 153,000 to 204,000 UAH) 
  • it will be allowed to detain a person who have violated laws on defense, mobilization, or military registration during the special period. Detention up to three hours — to draft a report. If necessary, detention up to three days — to identify the person and/or clarify the circumstances of the offense 
  • refusal by a reservist to undergo a medical examination during the special period will be recognized as a criminal offense — draft evasion 
  • during the special period, an administrative offense report will not be drafted if the consideration of the violation of the military registration regulations by a citizen is referred to the jurisdiction of the territorial recruitment center (except for offenses committed by persons subject to military service or reservists who are in reserve of the Security Service of Ukraine or the Foreign Intelligence Service). 

What is right: the bill is aimed at strengthening discipline and penalties for violations of laws on mobilization and military registration. 

What is wrong: the draft bill proposes to significantly increase fines but does not specify what actions or inaction will entail such penalties. Moreover, the amounts of fines are not differentiated: it is unclear which offense will entail what fine. 

Alternative solution: reject the draft bill. 

How to help the legislator: proposals concerning the draft bill can be sent to the Law Enforcement Committee of the Verkhovna Rada