Request for Discharge from Military Service in Ukraine (Raport): Template, Documents and Procedure

Having a ground for discharge from military service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) is not enough – it has to be formalised properly. A serviceman submits a written request (raport) through the chain of command, together with documents confirming the ground; the decision is taken by the official designated in the Regulations on Military Service by Citizens of Ukraine in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (approved by Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 1153/2008 of 10 December 2008, the “Regulations”). Below: what to include in the request, which documents to attach, who considers it and within what time, and what to do if it is refused. The law is stated as at 27 October 2026; the full list of grounds is in our article on the grounds for discharge from military service.

Grounds for discharge under martial law

Under martial law (until demobilisation is announced), discharge is carried out on the grounds set out in Article 26(3), Article 26(4)(2), Article 26(5)(3) and Article 26(6)(3) of the Law of Ukraine “On Military Duty and Military Service” (the “Law”) (Regulations, paragraph 225(2)). For those serving on conscription during mobilisation, these include (Article 26(4)(2) of the Law):

• reaching the age limit for military service;
• health – a finding (resolution) of the military medical board of unfitness or temporary unfitness for service with re-examination in 6–12 months, and also a disability (unless the serviceman has expressed a wish to continue serving);
• family circumstances or other valid grounds from the list in Article 26(12) of the Law (unless the serviceman has expressed a wish to continue serving);
• release from captivity (unless the serviceman has expressed a wish to continue serving);
• a conviction that has taken legal effect with a sentence of imprisonment or restriction of liberty;
• staff reductions or organisational measures – only for senior officers;
• appointment (election) as a judge or to other positions named in the law.

Where several of the grounds listed in paragraph 241 of the Regulations apply, the serviceman may choose one of them (Regulations, paragraph 241, first subparagraph).

What the request must contain

The Regulations require the request to state (Regulations, paragraph 233):

• the ground for discharge from military service;
• the serviceman’s view on whether they wish to serve in the military reserve of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the relevant military occupational specialty;
• the district (city) territorial recruitment and social support centre (TRC) to which the personal file is to be sent.

The request should also state to whom it is addressed (the commander of the military unit), the serviceman’s rank, full name, position and sub-unit, the date and a signature. For grounds that apply “unless the serviceman has expressed a wish to continue serving” (family circumstances, disability, release from captivity), state expressly that you have no such wish.

Template structure of the request

• Addressee: “To the commander of military unit A____ (position, rank, surname and initials)”.
• From: rank, full name, position, sub-unit.
• Title: “Raport” (request).
• Request: “I request to be discharged from military service on the ground set out in subparagraph ___ of paragraph ___ of part ___ of Article 26 of the Law of Ukraine ‘On Military Duty and Military Service’ – ___ (name of the ground).”
• Facts: briefly – which circumstance gives the right to discharge and which documents confirm it.
• Wish to continue serving: “I do not wish to continue military service” (for grounds where this matters).
• Military reserve: “I wish / do not wish to serve in the military reserve of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”
• Personal file: “Please send my personal file to the ___ TRC.”
• Attachments: a list of documents confirming the ground.
• Date and signature.

It is better to state one specific ground – with the number of the subparagraph, paragraph and part of Article 26 of the Law. A vaguely worded request is easier to return or put aside.

Sample wording: health grounds and family circumstances

These examples are for those serving on conscription during mobilisation (Article 26(4)(2) of the Law). For other categories of servicemen, the grounds for discharge are set out in other parts of Article 26 of the Law.

• Health grounds: “I request to be discharged from military service under Article 26(4)(2)(b) of the Law of Ukraine “On Military Duty and Military Service” – on health grounds, in accordance with the finding (resolution) of the military medical board of ___ No. ___ on unfitness for military service (temporary unfitness for military service with re-examination in 6–12 months).” If the ground is a disability, add: “I do not wish to continue military service.”
• Family circumstances: “I request to be discharged from military service under Article 26(4)(2)(d) of the Law of Ukraine “On Military Duty and Military Service” – owing to family circumstances provided for in subparagraph ___ of Article 26(12)(3) of the Law (___ – name of the circumstance). I do not wish to continue military service.”

Article 26(12)(3) of the Law lists the family circumstances that apply under martial law. For example, its fifth subparagraph covers a serviceman who supports three or more children under 18; this ground does not apply to those whose child support arrears exceed, in total, the amount of payments for three months. Check the subparagraph number against the current version of the Law: this list has been amended more than once.

Which documents to attach

The request is accompanied by documents confirming the ground for discharge (Regulations, paragraph 233). For example:

• on health grounds – the finding (resolution) of the military medical board (Article 26(4)(2) of the Law);
• on family grounds – documents confirming the specific circumstance: children’s birth certificates, documents on a family member’s disability, a court decision (on guardianship, a declaration of legal incapacity, etc.), documents on the death or disappearance of a close relative;
• for the ground of raising a child with a serious illness, the law expressly requires a document issued by the medical advisory commission of a healthcare facility (Article 26(12) of the Law).

The exact list of documents for your ground should be checked with the unit’s personnel department: whether the request is considered without being sent back for completion depends on how complete the package is.

How to submit the request

• The request and documents are submitted through the chain of command – via your immediate commander (superior) (Regulations, paragraph 233).
• Servicemen’s applications are entered on the day of receipt in the register of proposals, applications and complaints kept in every military unit (paragraph 119 of the Disciplinary Statute of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the “DS”). Note the date of submission and the registration number.
• Keep a copy of the request and attachments with a mark of receipt.
• Unit commanders must regularly hold personal receptions for servicemen and their families; applications made at a reception are registered (paragraph 118 DS).

Who decides

Under martial law, discharge is carried out, in particular, by (Regulations, paragraph 225(2)):

• for servicemen with ranks up to and including master sergeant (master chief petty officer) – commanders of brigades (regiments, 1st-rank ships) and officials equated to them;
• for ranks up to and including lieutenant colonel (commander) – corps commanders, commanders of operational command troops and officials equated to them;
• for higher ranks – higher-level officials designated in paragraph 225 of the Regulations, up to the Minister of Defence of Ukraine and the President of Ukraine.

Time limits

The Disciplinary Statute refers to the legislation on citizens’ appeals for the time limits for considering servicemen’s applications (paragraph 115 DS). Under the Law of Ukraine “On Citizens’ Appeals”, appeals are considered within no more than one month, and those that do not require further examination – without delay, but no later than fifteen days; the total period may not exceed forty-five days (Article 20 of the Law “On Citizens’ Appeals”).

A refusal must be communicated to the serviceman in writing – with references to legislation, the reasons for the refusal and an explanation of how to challenge the decision (paragraph 117, second subparagraph, DS).

What happens after the discharge order

• Before discharge, service records are checked and length of service is calculated; the serviceman signs to acknowledge the calculation and may set out any objections in writing on the same sheet (Regulations, paragraph 234).
• After the order, the serviceman hands over the position, receives final settlement, is removed from the unit’s personnel lists and is sent for military registration to the TRC at the chosen place of residence (Regulations, paragraph 242, first subparagraph).
• Within five days of removal from the lists, the person must report to the TRC for military registration (Regulations, paragraph 242, first subparagraph).
• After the order, the ground for discharge cannot be changed unless the discharge involved a breach of the law or new circumstances have arisen (Regulations, paragraph 243).

If the request is ignored or refused

• Ask for a written reply stating the reasons for the refusal (paragraph 117, second subparagraph, DS).
• The decision or inaction can be challenged before a higher commander (superior) or in an administrative court: military service is a form of public service (item 17 of part 1 of Article 4 of the Code of Administrative Procedure of Ukraine (CAP)).
• For claims concerning public service and discharge from it, the CAP sets a one-month time limit (part 5 of Article 122 CAP), so do not delay.

An advocate can help prepare a claim and decide how best to protect your rights – see our Discharge from military service and demobilisation service.

Frequently asked questions

Can I state several grounds in the request?

Where several of the grounds listed in paragraph 241 of the Regulations apply, the serviceman chooses one of them (paragraph 241, first subparagraph). It is better to state one specific ground with a full reference to Article 26 of the Law.

Can the ground be changed after the order?

Only if the discharge involved a breach of the law or new circumstances related to the discharge have arisen (Regulations, paragraph 243).

How long do I have to register after discharge?

Five days from removal from the unit’s personnel lists (Regulations, paragraph 242, first subparagraph).

Is discharge possible after a certain period of service?

Not for mobilised servicemen: under martial law one of the grounds listed in Article 26(4)(2) of the Law is required. More details are in our article on the grounds for discharge.

Do these rules apply in the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service and other formations?

Regulations No. 1153/2008 apply to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The grounds for discharge are set by Article 26 of the Law, while the procedure in other military formations is governed by their own regulations on service.

This article is for information only, reflects the law as at 27 October 2026 and is not a substitute for advice on your situation.

Is your request being ignored, returned or refused? An advocate will check the ground, help gather the documents, and prepare the request and a complaint or court claim → Discharge from military service and demobilisation · Protection of servicemen’s rights · Military law.