Eligibility Status ‘Fit’ After Medical Commission: What Men Threatened by Frontline Service Need to Know
Amid ongoing war conditions and the declaration of martial law in Ukraine, the issue of military conscription remains highly relevant for millions of men who receive draft notices and undergo military medical commissions (VLK).
According to current legislation, every male reservist in Ukraine who receives a draft notice is required to pass a medical commission to determine their fitness for service.
As explained by lawyer Kateryna Anischenko of Riyako&partners, after this examination, a person can be deemed ‘fit’ or ‘unfit’ for military service.
This distinction is crucial for individuals seeking to avoid deployment to the front lines.
She notes that if a person is recognized as fit and receives a military summons, they are usually mobilized unless they have legal grounds for deferment or exemption.
Furthermore, if a reservist is declared fit by the VLK and receives a draft notice, they will likely be sent for training or frontline deployment.
However, there are mechanisms such as obtaining deferments or removing from military registration due to health issues or other lawful reasons to avoid service.
Anischenko explains that all these questions are resolved only after passing the VLK and based on official decisions by military or legal authorities.
Additionally, the status ‘fit’ may apply not only to combat units but also to logistical or support divisions — such personnel are typically not assigned to front-line duties but are dispatched to other locations or performing servicing roles.
Given this situation, it’s important for citizens to understand their rights and obligations, as well as the procedures for obtaining deferments and exemptions, to avoid unnecessary complications during mobilization.