Discharge from military service and demobilisation

While martial law is in force, discharge from military service is possible only on the grounds expressly set out in the law. Success depends on choosing the right ground and on the completeness of the supporting documents.

Grounds for discharge under martial law

Discharge is possible only on a ground expressly set out in Article 26 of Law No. 2232-XII. The most common are:

• health — based on a military medical board finding
• reaching the age limit for military service
• family circumstances — the law lists 16, including: three or more dependent children under 18 (provided there are no child support arrears exceeding three monthly payments); permanent care of a wife (husband) with a Group I or II disability; permanent care of a parent — your own or your spouse’s — with a Group I or II disability, where there are no other first- or second-degree family members or they themselves need care; the death or disappearance of a close relative, including a brother or sister, while defending Ukraine
• release from captivity
• expiry of a contract concluded under martial law

The full list of family and other valid grounds is set out in part twelve of Article 26. Not sure whether your situation qualifies? The first consultation is free.

When to get in touch

• there is a military medical board finding of unfitness, or other circumstances giving a right to discharge
• discharge is needed on family grounds
• a formal application for discharge is being left unanswered
• discharge has been refused and you want to challenge the refusal

What the lawyer does

• establishes whether your situation gives a ground for discharge under Article 26 of Law No. 2232-XII
• assembles the set of supporting documents
• prepares the formal application and follows it through
• responds to inaction: requests, complaints, an administrative claim
• challenges a refusal to discharge
• sees the procedure through to removal from the unit’s rolls

Legal basis

The grounds and procedure for discharge from military service are set out in Article 26 of the Law of Ukraine “On Military Duty and Military Service” No. 2232-XII — in particular on health grounds based on a military medical board finding, on reaching the age limit, on family circumstances and other valid reasons (the list of which is set out in part twelve of Article 26), and in connection with release from captivity. Demobilisation is a set of measures whose procedure and timing are decided by the President of Ukraine (Article 1 of Law No. 3543-XII). Martial law ends when the period for which it was introduced expires; before that period expires the President of Ukraine may issue a decree lifting martial law (Article 7 of the Law of Ukraine “On the Legal Regime of Martial Law”).

Mobilisation legislation changes frequently. This page reflects the position as of October 2026; before acting on it, take advice on the wording currently in force.

Frequently asked questions

Is discharge possible after a certain length of service?

As the law currently stands there is no automatic discharge after a set period of service under martial law — one of the grounds in Article 26 is required. A separate ground is the expiry of a contract concluded under martial law, where the serviceman has not expressed a wish to continue serving (Article 26(5)(3)(zh)).

What if a formal application “goes missing”?

Record the filing (the registration number), send follow-up requests, and challenge the inaction — as far as the administrative court if necessary.

Can I be discharged if my brother or sister has gone missing?

Yes, if your brother or sister (full or half sibling) was killed or went missing while defending Ukraine against armed aggression, including under martial law. This ground also covers other close relatives: husband, wife, son, daughter, father and mother (Article 26(12)(3), paragraph 16).

My wife has a Group III disability — is that a ground for discharge?

Only in certain cases: if Group III was assigned as a result of cancer or the absence of a limb (hand, foot) or of one of a pair of organs, or if your wife with Group III has cancer, a mental disorder, cerebral palsy or other paralytic syndromes. Caring for a wife with a Group I or II disability is a ground without these conditions (Article 26(12)(3), paragraphs 11 and 12).

Can I be discharged to care for my parents?

Yes, if one of your parents — or your spouse’s — has a Group I or II disability and there are no other first- or second-degree family members who could provide care, or they themselves need permanent care according to a medical and social expert commission, a medical advisory commission of a healthcare facility or a decision of an expert team assessing everyday functioning (Article 26(12)(3), paragraph 13).

Need legal assistance? Call us or leave a request — a lawyer will contact you and explain what to do in your situation.