How convicts are mobilized to the AFU — important conditions, stages and procedures
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In May 2024, Ukraine passed a law allowing certain categories of convicted citizens to voluntarily enlist in the Armed Forces. However, not everyone is eligible, and mere willingness is not enough. An individual must go through several important stages.
How convicted citizens can join the Armed Forces, along with the main conditions and important procedures, was explained by Olena Vysotska, Deputy Minister of Justice of Ukraine, in an interview with NGL.media.
Thus, the official emphasized that the main prerequisite for mobilization is the personal desire of the convict. After that, all other processes begin, during which it becomes clear whether a person is suitable for military service:
- Document preparation;
- Interview with commanders;
- Military medical commission;
- Psychological and physical tests.
The procedure for mobilizing convicts in Ukraine is as follows:
1. Involvement of representatives of military brigades
When a sufficient number of individuals willing to enlist is gathered in the correctional facility, representatives from military brigades are invited to the institution. They inform the inmates about the specifics of military service and its conditions, conduct personal interviews, and select candidates they are willing to accept.
2. Choosing a place of service
Convicts have the right to choose their place of service on the basis of information provided by representatives of military units.
3. Possible refusal
During the interview, commanders decide whether the candidate is suitable for them. So, in some cases, a convict may be denied. In this case, the person stays in the colony until another commander agrees to choose him/her.
4. Petition to the court
A petition to the court can be submitted only after these steps:
- Statement from the convict expressing the desire to enlist;
- Approval from the correctional facility administration;
- Successful completion of the military medical commission;
- Consent from the brigade commander.
After that, the petition for their mobilization is sent to the court.
5. Contract signing and training
After receiving a court order, the convict is sent to a military unit to sign a contract. After that, the military training begins.
6. Possible court refusal
Under certain circumstances, the court may refuse to mobilize a convicted person to the AFU. In this case, he will continue to serve his sentence.
Earlier, Sergeant "Chechen" from the newly formed Shkval Battalion of the 5th Separate Assault Brigade explained the advantages of mobilizing convicts.
As a reminder, we previously reported on the conditions of service in the Armed Forces for convicted citizens.
We also provided information on how the medical examination for convicts wishing to serve in the Armed Forces will be conducted.
