Lawyer clarifies mobilization rules for those over 50 in Ukraine

Military lawyer and legal expert Yevhen Fylypets clarified this during an Espreso TV broadcast.

"Where did this information about the directive come from? It was initially shared by an MP, and then it spread further. In my opinion, it was picked up too quickly and without proper argumentation. The issue is not about the mobilization of 50-60-year-olds, but the placement of these individuals in specific units. People assumed that those over 50 are not being mobilized, but this is not true. The mobilization of 50-year-olds has not been stopped," the lawyer explained.

At the same time, Fylypets added that age and health are considered when determining service assignments.

"The only issue is the directive from the Commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, which no one has seen yet. The directive allegedly states that individuals aged 50-60 should be mobilized into support units according to their physical and psychological condition. Are there currently cases where people aged 50+ are mobilized into other units? I cannot confirm, as I lack such statistics. However, are these people being mobilized and sent to support units after training? Yes, they are. In my practice, individuals aged 53-54 have been assigned to various support unit roles. That is precisely what the directive seems to entail," the lawyer said.

In summary, mobilization of people over 50 continues, Fylypets concluded.

"The main argument is this: mobilization of people aged 50+ has not stopped, but they are mobilized into support units. However, support can vary. We understand that some support units serve in combat areas in the east. This has caused misunderstandings among people, but overall, such individuals are subject to mobilization, with decisions made regarding their service location," the military lawyer stated.

• In September 2024, a member of the Verkhovna Rada’s defense committee, MP Fedir Venislavskyi from the Servant of the People party stated that Ukraine allegedly has a directive allowing men aged 50-60 to be mobilized only through specific mobilization orders.