No Exceptions: How the New Military Medical Commission Process Will Work for Conscripts (Video)

Citizens who have undergone a military medical commission (VMC) and have been deemed absolutely unfit for service will continue to be registered as conscripts in the state registry "Oberih." These changes were outlined in a new Ministry of Defense order, which also established deadlines for medical tests and re-examinations. Lawyer Daria Holodnyak shared details about the ministry's decision on Instagram.

Daria Holodnyak explained the specifics of the Ministry of Defense order No. 686 dated October 14, 2024. She specifically addressed the categories of fitness, which remain four: fit for service, fit for work in TCC or in the rear, temporarily unfit with re-examination, and unfit for service. The lawyer noted that changes have affected the last category: previously, those deemed unfit were removed from the registry, but now this phrase will be eliminated.

"The highest category, subparagraph A, will be unfit for service. This means that unfitness will be tied to the VMC certificate and to the specific period for which you are granted this unfitness. It does not mean that you can subsequently be removed from the registry, as was the case before. You retain your status as a conscript," the lawyer explained.

Additionally, a short video touched on other changes regarding the VLK process:

• the timeframe for conducting medical tests and examinations is no more than four days;
• if additional re-examinations or further instrumental or laboratory studies are required, this must be completed within 14 days.

Mobilization in Ukraine and VLK — Details

On the Liga.net portal, you can find order No. 686, as discussed by the lawyer. One of the points indicates that the phrase "with removal from military accounting" is being deleted from the text of the "Regulation on military medical examination in the Armed Forces of Ukraine." At the time of this article's publication, this phrase still appears in the section from which it is likely to be removed.

It is worth noting that on October 31, lawyers from the "Bachynskyi and Partners" law firm explained the circumstances under which a person may be removed from the registry, meaning deleted from the conscript registry "Oberih." According to the lawyers, there were four such cases (until recently): death (or declaration of missing), cessation of Ukrainian citizenship, reaching the age of 60, or unfitness for service with removal from the registry.

Meanwhile, lawyer Tatyana Savchenko listed the categories of citizens who may be mobilized in accordance with current legal regulations. Specifically, citizens aged 18-60 will be drafted if they are fit and have military experience. Another category of draftees includes those aged 25-60 who have no service experience but are also deemed fit. Men over 50 will be mobilized only after a special order.

We remind you that in October, military expert Petr Chernyk suggested that Ukraine might lower the draft age to 23 and explained why this could happen.