The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces opposed the exemption from mobilization for men under 25 years old who are only partially fit for service

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) did not support a draft law that proposed exempting men under 25 years old, who were previously exempt from service in peacetime but had a status of limited fitness for service in wartime, from mobilization.

Currently, due to a legal loophole, such individuals are being mobilized—while those fully fit for service under 25 years old are not being mobilized. Deputies proposed to correct this contradiction and not to mobilize those with limited fitness.

However, in response to a request from “Radio Liberty,” the Main Communications Directorate of the General Staff of the AFU reported that they were against this proposal.

“Considering that the provisions of the draft laws provide for the expansion of categories of citizens who will have the right to deferment from military service during mobilization, these draft laws were not supported,” the General Staff stated.

They also believe that some citizens used this status to avoid military service in peacetime.

Moreover, according to the General Staff, the proposed amendments would reduce the mobilization resource of the army.

It was previously reported which categories of citizens will lose their right to deferment from mobilization starting August 1.