The issue of reservations for persons liable for military service during wartime is extremely relevant for Ukraine, especially in the context of mobilisation resources and the operation of critical enterprises. The reservation system, which allows certain individuals to defer service in the Armed Forces, is constantly being reviewed and is a subject of lively debate among experts and politicians. Critical infrastructure enterprises often use this system, which often leads to abuse. Changes in the mobilisation legislation have significantly affected the number of people booked, and this issue is a matter of concern at the state level.
Commentary by Fedir Venislavskyi on the situation with reservations
Member of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security Fedir Venislavsky shared his vision of the situation with the reservation in an interview with Radio NV. He noted that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has probably received the total number of those who have been booked to date. However, Venislavsky stressed that such information is not sufficiently representative, as it does not reflect the dynamics of changes in this category.
According to the MP, he cannot confirm or deny the information that the President was allegedly outraged by the number of booked people in Ukraine. He noted that he did not have direct communication with the President on this topic, so he cannot draw unequivocal conclusions about this situation.
Booking problems for critical infrastructure companies
During the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, key problems related to the reservation process for persons liable for military service, in particular those working at critical infrastructure enterprises, were discussed. According to Venislavsky, there are numerous cases of abuse of the reservation system by enterprises. He stressed that this situation requires due attention and a possible revision of the booking mechanisms to avoid further abuse.
Venislavsky noted that the increase in the number of bookings cannot be attributed solely to the new booking mechanisms introduced by the government. According to the changes in legislation, a significant number of Ukrainian citizens who were previously eligible for deferral from mobilisation have now been given the status of reserved, reflecting the transformation of deferral into reservation.
New reservation mechanisms: police and other categories
Venislavsky also noted that among those who received a reservation are police officers. Previously, they were entitled to deferment, but now, according to the new booking mechanisms, all police officers automatically fall under these rules. This suggests that the changes in the mobilisation legislation have had a significant impact on the increase in the number of reservations.
According to Venislavsky, the president was probably provided with the total number of people booked so far. However, he believes that it is not entirely correct to draw a linear relationship between the increase in the number of reservists and the government’s actions, as this process also includes previously introduced legislative mechanisms that have allowed a significant number of citizens to be transferred to the new status.
The issue of reservations for persons liable for military service in Ukraine is becoming increasingly relevant in light of the abuse of critical infrastructure by enterprises and the growing number of reservations. The need to reform the reservation system and strengthen control over its implementation are key challenges facing the government and military command.
