Koretsky announces stricter liability for draft evaders

Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky said that the search for draft evaders will be intensified and liability for them tightened.

He said this at the Kyiv International Economic Forum.

According to the prime minister, the government intends to present a new mobilization model by December 1, 2026. It provides, in particular, for obligations by businesses to forecast the recruitment of workers into the army in exchange for reserving employees.

“If Russia declares mobilization tomorrow and we are not ready, we will have to take unpopular decisions. Then it will no longer be about reservations and percentages. The question will be about the survival of the state,” the prime minister said.

Koretsky had previously said that the Verkhovna Rada will consider a bill that provides for tougher liability for those liable for military service who evade mobilization, as well as for those who leave their unit without authorization.

In addition, a few days ago the Cabinet of Ministers approved new reservation rules, which they want to put into effect from December 1. According to Koretsky, there will no longer be 100% reservation of employees for enterprises in the energy and defense industries in Ukraine.

MP Fediyenko said that there are about two million people evading military service in Ukraine who are invisible to the state. The lawmaker believes that the planned mobilization reform should begin precisely with identifying them and updating the data.