Unfit for Service, Yet Still Listed: The Lengthy Approval Process Explained
In Ukraine, individuals deemed 'unfit for military service' by a local recruitment center's Military Medical Commission (MMC) face a bureaucratic limbo that can last six months or more. This is because the local MMC's decision is not final and must be reviewed and approved by a higher-level, or 'штатна', MMC. This multi-tiered system is a standard part of Ukraine's military administration but has recently faced severe strain.
Reasons Behind the Approval Delays
Ukrainian law does not set clear deadlines for the higher-level MMC to review and approve these cases. The approval process slowed significantly in 2026 due to immense system overload, leading to even greater delays. The minimum wait time for a final decision from the higher commission is now six months, meaning citizens who received their 'unfit' status in late 2025 may still be officially listed as eligible for conscription.
The lack of legal deadlines for the higher commissions creates significant uncertainty for those awaiting official removal from the military register. Until formally discharged, individuals must continue to comply with all military registration rules. As legal expert Yuriy Aivazian notes,
“You will remain in the status of a person liable for military service until the higher-level MMC approves the decision of the local MMC.”
Consequently, this approval bottleneck remains a critical issue requiring urgent resolution.
The situation highlights the pressing need to reform Ukraine's conscription accounting system. The absence of clear review timelines creates legal ambiguity for citizens who have already been medically certified as unfit. This issue demands legislative attention to ensure a more efficient and transparent process for those unable to perform military duty, especially during a time of national mobilization.