Fake draft letters, fictitious bribes to avoid military service — these are some of the top scams Ukrainian women use on dating sites to deceive men from abroad. And it’s no surprise: the less you know, the easier it is to take someone’s word for it. Plus, there’s a strong emotional appeal—to “help a loved one” avoid a dangerous situation. All it takes is sending a certain amount of money to supposedly keep her from being drafted. In this article, we’ll examine the real situation regarding women’s mobilization in Ukraine as of November 2024.
In May, an updated mobilization law came into effect, lowering the conscription age, introducing electronic accounts for those eligible, and establishing basic military training instead of mandatory service. The law also outlines conditions under which women may be called to serve, recently sparking discussions about revising these rules.
Under What Conditions Can Women Be Drafted in Ukraine?
Ukrainian women can still be mobilized for military service only if they volunteer.
However, all women with medical or pharmaceutical qualifications are required to register for military service according to Article I of the Ukrainian Law on Military Service. This applies to female healthcare professionals between 18 and 60 years old who are deemed fit for service.
Registration does not mean mandatory mobilization of Ukrainian women. By law, women registered for service may only be called to serve during wartime if they choose to volunteer.
In peacetime, such women may join the military or reserves only through a contract.
Women with qualifications related to military specializations from an approved Ministry of Defense list do not have to register unless they wish to do so voluntarily.
The law also mandates gender equality in the armed forces, stipulating that women perform military duties on equal terms with men, including in contract-based roles.
Is Basic Military Training Mandatory for Women?
Under the mobilization law, men aged 18 to 25 must complete basic military training, which includes general and specialized instruction lasting three months in wartime. Those who complete this training are not mobilized until they turn 25.
Ukrainian women may also participate in basic training, but only voluntarily. To do so, women, like men, must meet health requirements and be between 18 and 25 years old. Both men and women can choose when they wish to undergo this training.
Who Is Exempt from Military Service?
Women may leave service once enlisted due to pregnancy or parental leave. Others exempt from mobilization include:
- Wives, if both spouses are serving in the military and have a child under 18;
- Women and men raising three or more children under 18 (if they are current on child support payments);
- Women and men unfit for service due to health or age;
- Women and men with a child under 18 if the other parent has died, lost parental rights, been declared missing, or is in prison;
- Guardians or adoptive parents raising a child with a disability under 18, or an adult child with a Group I or II disability;
- Women and men raising a child under 18 with severe nervous system disorders, serious congenital disabilities, cancer, paralysis, severe mental health issues, Type I diabetes, or acute kidney disease;
- Adoptive parents caring for a child under 18 who was previously orphaned;
- Individuals with a spouse who has a Group I or II disability;
- Individuals with a spouse with a Group III disability, who has lost limbs, hands, feet, or an essential organ, or has cancer or mental health issues;
- Individuals with a parent or spouse’s parent with a Group I or II disability (if there is no one else available to care for them who is not subject to military service);
- If close relatives have died or gone missing in the line of duty during the ATO or other military operations;
- If close relatives have been awarded the title “Hero of Ukraine.”
Ineligible for mobilization are reserved employees, full-time students, doctoral students, and interns.
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