Roman Kostenko's Mobilization in Dnipro
In Dnipro, 29-year-old Roman Kostenko, a widower who is the sole guardian of his four-year-old son, Daniil, has been mobilized into the military. His legal exemption from service was abruptly canceled in the 'Reserve+' application. The Kostenko family has since submitted documents seeking his discharge, and an official investigation into the case is currently underway. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions and legal complexities surrounding mobilization in Ukraine.
Roman Kostenko became a widower following his wife's death in 2024. As a single father, he is responsible for all parental duties for his young son. According to his mother, Ilona Kostenko, the young boy suffered a severe hysterical episode during the mobilization, crying out repeatedly for his father. She stated that Roman attempted to resolve the situation by submitting his documents to the military authorities and pleading with them not to proceed, but within half an hour, the formalities for his conscription were completed.
Official Comments and Legal Situation
A representative of the Territorial Recruitment Center (TCC) commented on the situation. Olena Kuzina, head of the communications group for the TCC and SP in Dnipropetrovsk region, confirmed that Roman's last deferment was automatically revoked and marked as a loss of grounds. She stated,
"Now it's too late, because he is already mobilized,"and added that an internal investigation is being conducted. The legal framework for mobilization has been under intense public scrutiny since the full-scale invasion began.
The Kostenko family has submitted notarized documents to the Ministry of Defense to secure Roman's release. Lawyer Kateryna Uzhva noted that Roman's only current recourse is to file a formal report for discharge, which, according to the law, should be granted. Ilona Kostenko added that Roman has received a phone and they were able to speak yesterday; he informed her that he would apparently be given the opportunity to submit the discharge report.
This case has raised significant public concern regarding the adherence to legal protections during military mobilization, particularly for individuals entitled to exemptions due to family circumstances. In a separate but related development, a transgender individual in Kharkiv recently succeeded in having themselves removed from military registration through a court ruling, further underscoring the complex legal landscape surrounding military service and mobilization.
Issues related to mobilization remain highly relevant, with society closely monitoring developments in this sphere. Given the number of instances where individuals with legitimate exemptions face conscription, there is a growing call for a review of existing norms and procedures to ensure the rights of all citizens are protected, especially those with difficult family situations. It is crucial for the relevant authorities to consider these factors in their operations and decision-making processes.