Martial Law in Ukraine: Should Master’s and PhD Students Undergo Mandatory Basic Military Training?
Ukraine is currently under martial law with general mobilization, imposing special obligations on men of conscription age.
Amid ongoing conflict, many aspects of Ukrainian life are changing, including requirements for student youth.
Since September 2025, all higher education institutions have implemented mandatory basic military training (BMT) for students, as part of national efforts to enhance defense capabilities during wartime.
This raises numerous questions about who exactly is required to participate.
Lawyer Marina Bekalo explained in an interview with TSN.ua that according to the law ‘On Military Duty and Military Service,’ men aged 18 to 25 who are fit for service and healthy are called up for BMT.
Importantly, citizens have the right to choose the year of their training before reaching 24.
Bekalo emphasized that the theoretical part of the training begins in the second year of full secondary education for undergraduates and in the first year for those studying for junior specialist, junior bachelor, or bachelor degrees.
However, questions remain about how master’s and PhD students under 25, who are still obliged to undergo BMT, should proceed—this legislative gap requires further regulation.
Given the current circumstances, it is also relevant to remind the public about the age at which Ukrainian men must register for military duty to avoid misunderstandings and ensure compliance with national defense obligations.