Mobilization in Ukraine: what kind of leave is a serviceman entitled to?

Mobilization in Ukraine: what kind of leave is a serviceman entitled to?

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine recently adopted a bill providing for some changes in the conduct of mobilization. There is no provision for demobilization for active military personnel, but the right to leave remains.

The document will come into force a month after the president signs it; several more laws are being prepared in the country, one way or another relating to rest for defenders. OBOZ.UA tells you what kind of leave a serviceman can already receive and which ones can be expected in the near future.

What holidays are available now?

During martial law, military personnel are provided with annual basic leave and leave for family reasons or other valid reasons.

Main holiday

Each year, a service member can receive 30 days of such leave. Now it is provided in parts, but not more than 15 days.

The bill on strengthening mobilization adopted by the Verkhovna Rada contains a clause that the main continuous part of such leave should be at least 15 days. After the document comes into force, this norm will become mandatory.

Leave for family reasons or other valid reasons

During martial law, such leave may be granted for up to 10 days. At the same time, the payment of monetary allowance is maintained.

The serviceman must indicate in the report exactly what family circumstances or valid reasons prompt him to go on leave. Also, if possible, you need to provide relevant documents. If this is not done, you may be denied leave.

How many times a year you can take leave for family reasons or other valid reasons is not prescribed by law. Therefore, it is assumed that this is more than once - depending on the occurrence of family circumstances.

Can they refuse to grant leave?

In Ukraine, at the legislative level, it is determined that the main leave is provided “in the simultaneous absence of no more than 30% of the total number of military personnel of a certain category of the relevant unit.”

That is, there are reasons for refusing to grant leave, but they must be justified.

Unused vacations during martial law

If a serviceman was unable to use the leave or used it partially, then such leave will be granted after the end of martial law.

In this case, it is allowed, at the request of military personnel, to combine annual basic leave, but the total duration of such combined leave cannot exceed 90 calendar days.

There is also an option to receive compensation. This can be done already upon dismissal.

Leave at birth of a child

Recently, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed bill No. 10313 , which amends the Law of Ukraine “On the social and legal protection of military personnel and members of their families.”

In particular, another type of leave for defenders is now being introduced - at the birth of a child. It is provided for up to 14 days and no later than three months from the date of birth of the child.

However, you won’t be able to get this leave now. It is provided for in peacetime and during a special period, but not during martial law. Since the country is currently under martial law, in the event of the birth of a child, a serviceman can be granted leave for family reasons for up to 10 days.

Leave for destroyed equipment

This type of vacation may soon appear in Ukraine. This is one of the norms of the bill on mobilization No. 10449 adopted by the Verkhovna Rada.

The document stipulates that leave may be granted for the destruction of equipment, but not more than 15 days a year. Now the document is awaiting the signature of the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada and the President in order to come into force.