Ukraine Extends Martial Law and Mobilization Until Jan. 29

Ukraine renewed two wartime measures together: martial law and general mobilization. Each extension lasts 90 days and runs until Jan. 29, 2027. The measures have been renewed every three months since February 2022, when Russia began its full-scale invasion.

President Volodymyr Zelensky signed the laws on Oct. 26, after parliament approved them the same day. They approve presidential decrees extending martial law and mobilization. The new period begins Oct. 31, when the current extension ends.

The stated reason is Russia’s continuing large-scale armed aggression. The extension keeps special powers available to state authorities, military command, military administrations and local governments. It also maintains the legal basis for calling eligible people into military service while Ukraine defends its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Martial law is a special legal regime that lets a state organize government and security unusually during a major threat. In Ukraine’s case, the threat is Russia’s continuing large-scale armed aggression. The article presents it as the legal framework for defending independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The extension keeps special powers for state authorities, military command, military administrations and local governments. These bodies can take the measures needed to repel the invasion. The article does not provide a detailed list of every restriction or power, so it cannot specify all effects on daily life.

Ukraine first introduced martial law nationwide through Decree No. 64/2022 on Feb. 24, 2022. The latest decree amends that original measure. Parliament’s approval was required before the presidential extension could take effect, making the emergency regime an ongoing, legally authorized response.

General mobilization is the legal process Ukraine uses to call eligible people into military service during the invasion. The article does not state how many people are currently affected in total. It identifies one central rule: Ukrainian men aged 25 to 60 are required to serve unless they receive a deferment based on health or work.

Worker deferments are especially important because they can temporarily protect employees from being mobilized. Previously, most critical companies could defer up to 50% of draft-age employees. Defense and energy companies could defer up to 100%, but that automatic full protection has now ended.

The rules are being tightened while the war continues into its fifth year. The government says the system should be fairer to soldiers who have served for nearly five years. It also wants to prevent companies from being created mainly to obtain deferments, while ensuring Ukraine has enough people available to serve.

President Volodymyr Zelensky issued decrees extending martial law and general mobilization, but both required parliament’s consent to take effect. This approval step gives the measures formal legislative backing under Ukraine’s legal system. The martial-law decree was issued on a proposal from the National Security and Defense Council.

Parliament approved the two measures on Oct. 26, after its national security, defense and intelligence committee endorsed them. Bill No. 16182, approving the martial-law decree, received 293 votes. Bill No. 16183, covering mobilization, received 281 votes in favor.

The votes show strong support for continuing both measures, although the totals were not identical. The laws signed afterward take effect on Oct. 31. They extend the emergency framework and the military call-up system because the government says Russia’s armed aggression remains ongoing.

Continued martial law keeps special powers in force for state authorities, military command, military administrations and local governments. Those institutions use the framework to take measures against the invasion. Continued mobilization keeps the legal requirement for eligible men to serve, unless they qualify for a deferment.

For civilians, men aged 25 to 60 remain subject to military service rules. For businesses, deferments affect how many employees can remain protected from call-up. The recent overhaul ended automatic full protection for defense and energy companies, while allowing full protection only when workers contribute to the military on a rotating basis.

For soldiers, the policy is tied to a war that has lasted nearly five years. The government says fairer deferment rules could give serving troops a realistic chance to return home. The measures will remain in place through Jan. 29, 2027, unless changed by another decision.

The government says the old system protected too many workers, especially at defense and energy companies. Prime Minister Serhii Koretsky said unconditional full deferment was unfair to soldiers and had opened the door to misuse. He also said some companies were created mainly to obtain deferments, turning the system into a business.

The new approach makes full protection conditional. A company can keep its entire workforce deferred only if it contributes to the military on a rotating basis. Most critical companies previously could defer up to 50% of draft-age employees, while defense and energy firms could defer up to 100%.

Defense manufacturers warn that even reducing the quota to 85% could stop production lines, delay weapons deliveries and expose companies to penalties for missed state contracts. At the same time, tighter exemptions could make more people available for military service and reduce pressure on soldiers already serving.

Martial law and mobilization serve different but connected purposes. Martial law keeps special powers available to state authorities, military command, military administrations and local governments. Mobilization provides the legal system for calling eligible people into military service. Both respond to Russia’s continuing armed aggression.

The relationship is practical. Authorities need powers to organize the defense effort, while the military needs personnel to repel the invasion. Ukraine’s law generally requires men aged 25 to 60 to serve unless they qualify for health-related or work-related deferments. Parliament must approve the president’s decrees extending both measures.

This arrangement has continued every three months since February 2022 and now runs until Jan. 29, 2027. The long war has created pressure to balance military needs with civilian work and soldiers’ need to return home. That pressure explains the government’s simultaneous extension of mobilization and tightening of deferment rules.