Martial law in Ukraine has currently been extended until May 4, 2026, and as a result, mobilization measures remain in effect. At the same time, Ukrainian law provides a clear list of individuals who are exempt from conscription or are entitled to a lawful deferment or exemption.

Below is the current list of such categories as of February 1, 2026, taking into account the established requirements and official clarifications.

Age Restrictions and Health Status

Men under the age of 25, as well as citizens aged 60 and older, are exempt from mobilization.

In addition, individuals who, based on the results of a medical examination, have been deemed unfit for military service and subsequently removed from military registration are not subject to mobilization. To confirm this status, one must undergo an examination by a military medical commission (MMC) and provide the relevant medical documents.

Family and social grounds

The following categories of citizens are entitled to a deferment from mobilization:

• parents raising three or more children under the age of 18;
• persons who provide constant care for family members who are unable to work, children with disabilities, or a seriously ill child who has not been officially recognized as disabled;
• guardians or persons who are responsible for the support of orphaned children or children deprived of parental care;
• citizens whose parents (their own or those of their spouse) or spouse have a Group I or II disability;
• students pursuing their first higher education degree who are enrolled in full-time or dual-track programs;
• teaching staff and other education professionals, provided they are officially employed on a basis of at least 0.75 of a full-time position;
• family members of military personnel who have been killed in action or are considered missing in action;
• persons who were unlawfully deprived of their liberty as a result of armed aggression against Ukraine.

Reservations and Critical Industries

Persons reserved by enterprises, institutions, or organizations deemed critical to the functioning of the economy and the state’s vital activities are also exempt from mobilization. Such reservations are made upon the existence of a corresponding decision and documentary confirmation from the employer.

Effective January 1, 2026, the financial criteria for making a reservation have changed. According to paragraph 8 of the Procedure for Reserving Persons Subject to Military Service During Mobilization and Martial Law, the minimum wage level that entitles an employer to reserve an employee is 21,617 hryvnias, instead of the previous 20,000 hryvnias.

How to Apply for and Extend a Deferral

The procedure for applying for or extending a deferment depends on the grounds for granting it. If the deferment was processed through the “Reserve+” app, in most cases it is automatically extended along with the extension of the general mobilization period. At the same time, those subject to military service are advised to periodically check their current status in the app.

The Ministry of Defense explains that during the automatic renewal process, “Reserve+” users first receive a push notification about the scheduled data update. After the information is verified in government registries, a second notification is sent confirming the extension of the deferral.

If you have not received any notifications, this may indicate that the information in the registries is either missing or out of date. In this case, you must personally submit an application and documents confirming your eligibility for a deferral to the Administrative Services Center (ASC). The Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Centers (TRSSCs) no longer accept such applications.

Who is automatically granted an extension?

An automatic extension of the deferral is provided, in particular, for:

• people with disabilities;
• citizens who have been temporarily deemed unfit for military service;
• parents who are raising three or more children under the age of 18 within the same marriage;
• parents of children with disabilities (minors or adults in disability groups I–II);
• persons who are married to a person with a Group I or Group II disability;
• громадян, які мають одного з батьків з інвалідністю I або II групи;
• mothers and fathers who are raising a child under the age of 18 on their own while the other spouse is serving in the military;
• full-time or dual-track students, doctoral students;
• research, research-teaching, and teaching staff who work at their primary place of employment with a workload of at least 0.75 of a full-time position;
• persons whose close relatives were killed or are considered missing in action during hostilities or martial law;
• relatives of Heroes of Ukraine who were awarded the title posthumously;
• persons unlawfully deprived of their personal liberty as a result of armed aggression against Ukraine;
• military personnel released from captivity.

What to Do If Your Deferral Was Not Automatically Extended

If automatic renewal did not occur but the right to a deferral remains in effect, there are two ways to apply for it:

• submitting an application to extend the deferral online via the “Reserve+” app (not available for all categories);
• a personal visit to the Administrative Services Center with the relevant documents.