Ukraine Streamlines Mobilization Deferral Process via 'Reserve+' App and Service Centers

Revised Procedure for Mobilization Deferral Applications

According to ХВИЛЯ: Ukraine has implemented a new system for men seeking a legal deferral from military mobilization. Applications must now be submitted either through the 'Reserve+' mobile application or in person at Administrative Service Centers (ASCs), rather than directly at Territorial Recruitment Centers (TRCs). This change is designed to simplify the application process for most eligible individuals. This digital shift is part of broader efforts to modernize military administration during the ongoing conflict.

Under the new rules, ASC staff accept and scan the required documents, forwarding them electronically to the relevant TRC. Original documents are not retained; they are verified and immediately returned to the applicant. Upon submission, the individual receives a confirmation receipt. The review of an application takes between 7 and 15 days. Crucially, while an application is under review, the individual cannot be summoned for a medical examination or mobilized.

Deferral Status and Verification

Once a deferral is granted, the status is automatically updated in the 'Reserve+' app. A paper deferral certificate without a QR code is no longer considered a valid legal document; only the verifiable status in 'Reserve+' holds legal force. Even if a deferral is automatically extended, technical glitches in the 'Reserve+' system can occur. If a notification does not appear in the app, it creates a direct risk of being mobilized, so individuals must proactively check their status.

These reforms aim to increase the efficiency and accessibility of the deferral process, a critical function under martial law. By leveraging digital services, the government seeks to reduce the administrative burden on recruitment centers and provide clearer, more reliable access to legal provisions for those eligible for a postponement.