Koretskyi announces tougher penalties for evading mobilisation and unauthorised desertion

The Verkhovna Rada is set to consider a bill that provides for stricter consequences for individuals who evade military service or unauthorisedly leave their units. This was stated by Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhiy Koretskyi in an interview with the BBC.

Response to business requests

According to the head of the government, against the backdrop of criticism of the planned changes to reservation rules, business representatives may ask authorities to "deal with" evaders and servicemen who have unauthorisedly left their units. Koretskyi emphasised that such offenders are already being "dealt with".

«Що зараз буде зроблено? Актуалізовано законопроект, який уже у Раді довгий час перебуває. Актуалізовано цей законопроєкт, і буде посилено відповідальність» (What will be done now? The bill, which has been in the Rada for a long time, has been updated. This bill has been updated, and liability will be strengthened), he noted.

Army's need for rotation

The Prime Minister explained the need to replenish the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He drew attention to the fact that part of the personnel is leaving due to injuries, and there are also fatalities and missing persons. In addition, Koretskyi emphasised that servicemen who have been on the front line for a long time require rotation.

Current sanctions

Currently, legislation provides for administrative and criminal liability for evading mobilisation. For violations of military registration rules, as well as the requirements of laws on defence, mobilisation preparation, and mobilisation, offenders face a fine ranging from 17,000 to 25,500 hryvnia.