The entry into force of the updated law on mobilisation has led to numerous changes to the procedure for conscription, military medical examination, as well as the introduction of electronic offices for persons liable for military service and the introduction of basic military training, which will replace conscription. These innovations have also affected people with disabilities.
Read more about the innovations for people with disabilities envisaged by this law in Komersant ukrainskyi
Updating military registration data of persons with disabilities
The main change in the law on mobilisation is the requirement for all persons liable for military service aged 18 to 60 to update their military registration data by 16 July 2024. The exception is for persons who are excluded from military registration due to a lifelong disability.
Thus, only those who have the status of “unfit for service with exclusion from military registration” are not required to update their data. Other categories, including persons with disabilities, must update their information through the “Reserve” application or by visiting an ASC or CEC.
Thus, all persons liable for military service, with the exception of persons with a lifelong disability, had to update their data by 16 July 2024, otherwise they would face a fine of UAH 17,000 to 25,500.
Do persons with disabilities have to carry military registration documents with them?
The updated law on mobilisation also touched upon the obligation to carry military registration documents. In particular, after its entry into force, persons who have been declared unfit for military service and excluded from military registration are also required to carry military registration documents.
The military registration documents of such persons contain information about their exclusion from military registration. Therefore, when checking the documents, employees of the TCC, the police or the State Tax Service will be able to see information about the person’s exclusion from military registration.
It should also be noted that as of 18 June, the Reserve application now allows you to create an electronic version of a military registration document. The electronic military ID card will have the same legal force as its paper version. Thanks to the QR code contained in it, employees of the TCC or the police will be able to instantly obtain information from the register of conscripts, persons liable for military service and reservists Oberig about the status of a citizen.
Thus, it is no longer necessary to have paper military registration documents with you, it is enough to show their electronic version in the Reserve application.
However, if you do not have military registration documents or refuse to present them, you may be held administratively liable, which entails a fine of UAH 17,000 to 25,500. In addition, you may be forcibly brought to the MCC and the JIC.
Disability re-examination in 2024: who is obliged to undergo re-examination
The new law on mobilisation also introduced a review of the validity of decisions of medical and social expert commissions (MSECs) on the establishment of disability of groups II and III for men aged 25-55 if it was established after 24 February 2022.
At the same time, the Ministry of Health explained that men aged 25 to 55 who first received a disability group after 24 February 2022 do not need to appear for an MSEC review on their own. The referral for the ECF should be sent to the electronic cabinet.
At the same time, persons who have been diagnosed with a disability will not be subject to a second medical examination:
- in the order of increasing/decreasing the disability group and/or as a result of diseases;
- as a result of injuries (traumas, contusions, mutilations) sustained in the course of defence of Ukraine;
- due to the absence of a limb, hand (hand), foot (foot), or one of the paired organs;
- due to cancer;
- due to intellectual disabilities or mental disorders;
- due to cerebral palsy or other paralysis or causes of disability since childhood.
In other words, current Ukrainian legislation does not establish any obligations for persons with disabilities to undergo a second medical examination.
Instead, in accordance with the provisions of Law 3621-IX, the obligation to undergo a review to determine their fitness for military service applies to persons who have previously been declared partially fit. Such persons must undergo a second medical examination within 9 months from the date of entry into force of the law, i.e. by 4 February 2025.
As a result of the examination, one of the following statuses may be assigned:
- Fit;
- Fit to serve in military support units, TCCs, etc;
- Temporarily unfit;
- Unfit with exclusion from the military register; or
- Unfit with re-passing the OPC in 6-12 months.
Failure to comply with this obligation may result in a fine of UAH 17,000 to 25,000 being imposed on a person liable for military service.
Finally, it should be recalled that the mobilisation of persons with disabilities of all groups in Ukraine remains voluntary, but it requires a relevant conclusion of the military medical commission (MMC).
Author: Olya Yushko