Key facts
- Ukraine will end automatic 100% military mobilization exemptions for employees in critical industries.
- Defense industry companies can exempt up to 95% of eligible employees.
- The government aims to approve the new exemption mechanism by December 1.
- Companies can still request higher exemption quotas if needed to maintain operations.
Ukraine's government has finalized changes to its military exemption system, ending automatic 100% exemptions for employees in critical industries such as defense manufacturing and energy, Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi announced on Oct. 23. The move aims to create a fairer system and prevent abuses, as the number of exempted workers has been growing significantly. Defense companies will now be able to exempt up to 95% of their eligible employees, with the government planning to review criteria for critical businesses and potentially allow full exemptions for companies that voluntarily send workers to the military. The government aims to approve the new mechanism by December 1.