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.

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 August 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.

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