A second wave of mobilization is underway in Ukraine. Furthermore, martial law has been imposed in our country, resulting in restrictions on the departure abroad of men of conscription age.
Previously, activists in Ukraine created a petition to lift the exit ban for men aged 18 to 60 and to prioritize the conscription of volunteers during mobilization.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has already officially responded to it.
He emphasized that Ukrainians, according to the Constitution of Ukraine, can freely leave the country. However, martial law has been imposed, which is an exception to the law.
The lifting of the specified restrictions is expected to take place after the end of the legal regime of martial law, the president noted.
At the same time, Zelensky brought attention to the issue of prioritizing the conscription of volunteers and instructed the government to work on the proposals contained in the petition.
We have repeatedly faced cases where men attempted to illegally leave the territory of Ukraine: some in wigs and with their wife's passport, others in baby boxes or trying to bribe officials.
Who of the men can leave Ukraine during the war?
The Cabinet of Ministers considered the issue of allowing Ukrainian men to leave the country for a limited period and permitted a number of those liable for military service to leave Ukraine.
The government's resolution from May 20, published on the Government Portal, contains a comprehensive list of those who can leave the country. This includes:
- drivers transporting medical cargo, humanitarian aid, or cargo for the needs of the Armed Forces.
- long-haul truck drivers with licenses for international freight and passenger transport;
- railway workers ensuring the functioning and uninterrupted operation of the railway;
- athletes, coaches, sports referees, and other specialized professionals participating in international competitions, preparing for them, or ensuring their conduct.
At the same time, drivers indicating the purpose of crossing the border as the transportation of humanitarian cargo must clearly justify: what the cargo is, to whom it will be delivered, and how many vehicles are needed for this.
Local military administrations have the right to revoke the permission to leave the country if the individual does not return on time or does not bring back the declared cargo.
Duration of stay abroad for those liable for military service: for drivers and athletes – 30 days, for long-haul truck drivers – 45 days, for railway workers – 6 months.
Previously, the law provided for a category of men who could leave Ukraine.
This includes:
- Individuals who have a deferment from conscription or a notification of enrollment in special military accounting;
- Individuals with a conclusion from a military medical commission on unfitness;
- Those who have three or more children under the age of 18 in their care;
- Those who are raising a child (children) under 18 independently;
- Individuals under whose care is a child with disabilities under the age of 18 or an adult child with disabilities of groups I or II until he/she reaches 2-3 years;
- Adoptive parents, guardians, custodians, foster parents, or parents-educators responsible for orphans or children deprived of parental care under the age of 18;
- Individuals engaged in permanent care for those in need of it, if there are no other people who can perform such care functions;
- Those whose close relatives (parents, children, siblings, husband or wife, grandparents) went missing or died during the ATO;
- Individuals with disabilities of groups I or II, with the appropriate documentation (certificate or medical certificate) or pension certificate, or a certificate of social assistance;
- Men traveling with two children and a pregnant wife, with the pregnancy confirmed by a certificate. The pregnancy must be from 35 weeks.