In March 2026, numerous cases were recorded in Ukraine where women without medical education or any relation to the military sphere unexpectedly found themselves wanted by territorial recruitment centers. The reason for this phenomenon was an error in the “Oberih” database, and as of May 1, there have been no new changes regarding the mobilization of women. However, it is important to understand who among Ukrainian women may be called up to the army in case of urgent need.
This is reported by Finway
Which Women are Subject to Military Registration: Legislative Grounds
The issue of registering women for military service is regulated by three main documents:
- The Law of Ukraine “On Military Duty and Military Service”;
- The Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated December 30, 2022, No. 1487, which approved the procedure for organizing and maintaining military registration of conscripts, military personnel, and reservists;
- The Order of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine dated October 11, 2021, No. 313, which defines the list of specialties and professions related to military registration specialties.
According to the law, women with medical or pharmaceutical specialties who meet age and health requirements are subject to mandatory military registration. Additionally, Ukrainian women with other specialties related to military registration can register voluntarily.
The registration procedure has been automated: educational institutions send information about their graduates to territorial centers, which is then entered into electronic registers. This became possible after changes to the military registration procedure approved by the Cabinet of Ministers’ Resolution No. 916 dated July 30, 2025.
Now, a woman can be registered for military service even without her personal presence, which has caused concern among the public. In practice, after receiving a diploma, the educational institution must notify the territorial recruitment center at the graduate’s place of residence within 7 days. Within 60 days after this, the woman must arrive at the territorial recruitment center only to determine her fitness for military service, not for mobilization.
“The registration of women in medical professions does not equate to immediate conscription. It is only about recording data on potential specialists in case of urgent need.”
If a woman does not have a military registration specialty, she can only register voluntarily. Such a woman cannot be mobilized without her consent, even during a state of war — this is stipulated in paragraph 12 of Article 1 of the Law of Ukraine “On Military Duty and Military Service.”
Mobilization of Women in May: Have There Been Changes?
Currently, there are no changes in the rules for the mobilization of women. The issue of mandatory mobilization of Ukrainian women with medical or other specialties is absent from the current legislation. All possible involvement of women in the army occurs exclusively on a voluntary basis and only when there is a real necessity.
Furthermore, in the case of erroneous or illegal registration for military service, women have the right to appeal this decision through administrative procedures or court.
The issue of Ukrainian women’s travel abroad and possible “search” also remains unchanged — restrictions may only apply to those who are registered for military service according to the legislation.