Ukrainian Consulates Stop Providing Services To Men Of Military Age

From April 23, it will only be possible to prepare documents for returning to Ukraine.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs ordered the heads of all diplomatic institutions of Ukraine to temporarily suspend all consular actions regarding Ukrainian citizens of military age.

The ban will remain in effect until clarification of the provisions of the law on strengthening mobilization is received.

This is stated in a letter signed by First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sibiha, which is at the disposal of ZN.UA.

“Taking into account paragraphs 6 and 16 of part one of Article 8 of the Law of Ukraine “On the legal regime of martial law”, in connection with the ongoing large-scale armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, in order to prevent citizens of Ukraine from avoiding the obligation to resolve the issue of military registration by territorial offices for enlistment and social protection, and the presence of military registration documents, I instruct, from April 23, 2024, to temporarily suspend consular actions on applications from male Ukrainian citizens aged 18 to 60 years,” says the letter signed by Sibiha.

It is noted that only consular actions related to the issuance of identity cards for returning to Ukraine are possible. The Foreign Ministry order is in force “until further clarification is received on the application of the provisions” of the law on strengthening mobilization, which was promulgated on April 17 and will come into force in May.

Paragraphs 6 and 16 of Article 8 of the Law of Ukraine “On the Legal Regime of Martial Law,” to which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs refers, provide for the following:

6) to establish, in the manner determined by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, a special regime of entry and exit, limit the freedom of movement of citizens, foreigners and stateless persons, as well as the movement of vehicles;

16) to prohibit citizens who are on military or special registration with the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine or the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine from changing their place of residence (place of stay) without the permission of the military commissar or the head of the relevant body of the Security Service of Ukraine or the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine; limit alternative (non-military) service.

Among the main provisions of the mobilization law adopted in Ukraine, there are the following points:

restriction of the right to drive vehicles for those evading duties at the request of the territorial office for enlistment and social protection;

obligation to have a military registration document with you and present it at the request of a representative of the territorial office for enlistment and social protection, police officer or border guard;

obligation to update personal data of those liable for military service within 60 days from the date the law comes into force (both those in Ukraine and those abroad). This can be done using email, telephone or electronic account.