The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has officially announced its position regarding the situation surrounding partially fit military servicemen who did not manage to undergo a re-military medical commission (VLK) before the established deadline of June 5
Representatives of the department noted that an additional extension of the deadline for passing the VLK is not currently planned, and emphasized that those who started the process earlier will have the opportunity to complete it according to current procedures. Dmytro Lazutkin, spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense, stated in a comment for Radio Libertad: "As far as I know, there is no question of an impending extension of this deadline. People who have already begun undergoing the VLK will be able to finish it and obtain their new status. This will not pose a serious problem for them and is generally understood by most. Those who fail to pass the commission by June 5 will be classified as having violated military registration rules during a special period. Such violations will have consequences in the form of penalties under Article 210 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses. The reason for this situation is that a significant number of reservists either do not wish to or deliberately remain in 'gray zones,' staying out of command attention." According to the spokesperson, as of today, about 7% of individuals who underwent the re-VLK received a status of "unsuitable" for military service. This indicates that the procedure has already yielded results, and most reservists have taken the necessary steps. Natalia Hnatyik, a lawyer specializing in military law, told Radio Libertad that men who have officially confirmed the start of their VLK process will not be automatically declared wanted by law enforcement. She explained: "If a person has proof of having started the process — for example, a referral through the 'Reserve+' app, a paper or electronic notification — it means they have tried to fulfill their obligations and met the established requirements. After June 5, individuals who only received the referral in the system but have not yet undergone the medical examinations will not be immediately subject to search. However, the TCC (Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support) has access to the system and will be able to see the status. Unsubmitted documents or uncompleted commissions may result in administrative sanctions or law enforcement attention in the form of a 'search' or fines." The platform for obtaining referrals — perhaps the most convenient — is the "Reserve+" app or personal contact with the territorial recruitment and social support center. The re-VLK process involves several mandatory steps: issuing a referral, visiting a medical facility for examination, and receiving an official conclusion. It is important to note that current legislation regulates this process, and all reservists must complete this stage before the deadline — June 5, 2024. The law approved by the Verkhovna Rada on February 12 introduces a more liberal approach to passing the VLK for men aged 25 to 60 who were previously recognized as limited fit. According to this document, they have the opportunity to undergo medical examination until June 5, 2025. The original deadline for the VLK was February 4 of this year; however, due to numerous requests and circumstances, the Verkhovna Rada made amendments aimed at granting more time for medical commissions. Iryna Vereshchuk, Deputy Head of the Office of the President, already appealed to reservists, urging them not to delay medical examinations. She emphasized that no extensions are expected after June 5 and called on all willing individuals to promptly undertake the necessary procedures to avoid potential legal and administrative issues. This is especially relevant given that neglecting this obligation could lead to human and administrative consequences, particularly in the context of military registration and mobilization measures. Overall, the situation with passing the VLK among reservists raises many questions, but the official position of the Ministry of Defense aims to minimize negative consequences for those who genuinely wish to regularize their status and remain within the legal framework. It remains to be hoped that citizens will respond responsibly and not remain in the "gray zone," fulfilling their duties to the state during this critical period.