The issue of military reservation in Ukraine has gained significant attention as regulations continue to evolve. Svetlana Krutorogova, an attorney and head of the legal practice at WINNER Law Firm, provided insights into the eligibility criteria for deferment, reasons for potential denials, and the application process through the digital platform Diia.
According to Krutorogova, current legislation allows for the reservation of military personnel employed in essential public sectors. This includes individuals working in local government and state authority positions.
Specifically, the reservation applies to:
- Law enforcement agencies, including the National Police, Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), State Bureau of Investigation (DBR), National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), and other investigative bodies.
- Staff positions within government agencies that operate across Ukraine.
Additionally, employees of enterprises and organizations deemed critical for supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and maintaining economic stability are also eligible. This designation is based on criteria established at both the national and local levels by regional military administrations.
Furthermore, representatives of international organizations, such as those affiliated with the United Nations or the Red Cross, along with personnel involved in demining activities, can also receive reservation.
How to Apply for Military Reservation in Ukraine: Possible Reasons for Denial
Krutorogova highlighted several reasons that could lead to a denial of reservation requests. A common issue is the absence of the individual from military records or a lack of data in the “Oberih” registry.
Other potential reasons for denial include:
- Existing deferments or reservations;
- Exceeding the quota for reservations, typically capped at 50% of a private company’s workforce;
- Failure to meet salary requirements;
- Tax debts owed by the company.
Moreover, individuals under 25 who have not served and reservists are not eligible for reservation.
Who Has the Best Chance of Being Reserved
According to the expert, individuals working in critical sectors, particularly in energy and public utilities, have the highest likelihood of obtaining reservation. Additionally, professionals in the defense industry, transportation, and logistics also have favorable prospects.
Can You Obtain Reservation If You Are Wanted?
Krutorogova emphasized that reservation is only possible for military personnel who are registered and have no violations related to mobilization laws. However, under Law No. 4630-IX, temporary reservations of up to 45 days can be granted for employees who are wanted or have unverified data, but this is limited to those in critical sectors.
In other cases, an individual can only be reserved after their status is cleared from the “Oberih” registry, typically following the payment of a fine, which can now be done through the “Rезерв+” application without visiting a military recruitment center.
Individuals can also challenge their wanted status in court, which may lead to the removal of their information from the registry, although this process can be time-consuming.
How Quickly Can You Obtain Reservation Through “Rезерв+”? How to Check Online
Krutorogova noted that the time it takes to secure a reservation depends on the stage of the application process. Initially, a company must obtain a critical status through regional military administrations or relevant ministries, which typically takes up to ten working days.
Each regional military administration may have additional criteria for determining critical status, such as tax contributions and employment levels.
Once critical status is confirmed, the timeframe for processing the reservation varies based on the application method:
- Through the Diia app: up to 72 hours, or within 24 hours for certain categories (e.g., government agencies or defense industry);
- Via lists: up to five working days for a decision from the Ministry of Economy;
- General processing: may take several weeks due to the need for approvals from various agencies.
What Does Military Reservation Look Like in Ukraine (Duration)
Krutorogova concluded that reservations are typically granted for up to 12 months or for the duration of mobilization, depending on the employee’s category:
- Up to 12 months for employees of critical enterprises and infrastructure;
- For the duration of mobilization for government officials;
- 45 days for specific defense industry enterprises.
Short-term reservations may also be possible for those with record violations, but only once a year and under the condition of official employment.
How to Check Your Military Reservation Status
To verify the status of a reservation and its duration, individuals can use the “Rезерв+” application (where the status should display as “reserved”) or the Diia portal. For offline inquiries, information can be obtained through a legal request to the military recruitment center or the Ministry of Defense.
This article provides an overview of military reservation laws in Ukraine, detailing eligibility criteria, application processes, and potential reasons for denial. It highlights the importance of understanding the evolving regulations surrounding military deferment.