Headline:
Ukrainians with Disability Still Face mobilization Fines Due to Lack of Communication Between Agencies
Subhead:
Advisor explains why people with valid exemptions could still receive penalties from TCC.
Article:
Ukrainian citizens with valid exemptions from military mobilization, including individuals with disabilities, are still at risk of receiving fines from the Territorial Defense Forces Command (TCC), according to a lawyer from the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union. The failure of the Ministry of Defense to synchronize databases with the Ministry of Social Policy and the Pension Fund is leaving many Ukrainians vulnerable to these penalties.
Roman Lykhachov, the lawyer, stated, "The law on military service requires individuals to notify their TCC of any changes in their family status, health, or other relevant factors within seven days. However, automated notifications about disability are not sent to the TCC. Therefore, individuals desiring an exemption or removal from military service must actively notify the TCC themselves."
Roman Istomin, a representative of Territorial Defense Forces Command and Staff in Poltava region, agreed, "Our staff do not possess the ability to predict or have knowledge of ‘potential exemptions.’ Consequently, individuals with disabilities may still receive mobilization notices and subsequent fines if they fail to formally apply for an exemption."
Lykhachov clarified, "Disability alone does not automatically exempt an individual from military service. An exemption can only be granted after passing a military medical commission (VVK), not a medical-social expert commission (MSES). After the VVK, an individual may be found unfit for service and removed from military registration. However, if a person with disabilities ignores their mobilization notice, they may still face fines, even after being deemed unfit."
Previously, UNIAN reported on the potential mobilization of workers with ‘bronze’ status and the misunderstanding caused by parliamentarian Alexander Fedchenko’s claims that such exemptions could be revoked. The TCC later clarified that bronze status is just one factor considered for exemption.
Other news related to the mobilization process in Ukraine can be found here.
