All Ukrainian consulates have stopped providing services to men of military age
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has ordered the heads of all Ukrainian diplomatic missions to temporarily suspend all consular activities with Ukrainian citizens of military age. The ban will remain in effect until the provisions of the law on strengthening mobilization are clarified, according to a letter signed by First Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga, which is available to 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 settle the issue of military registration by territorial centers of recruitment and social support and the availability of military registration documents, I hereby instruct that from 23.04.2024 to temporarily suspend consular actions on applications from male citizens of Ukraine aged 18 to 60,” the letter signed by Sibiga reads.
It is noted that only consular actions related to the issuance of identity cards for returning to Ukraine are possible. The Foreign Ministry’s order is in effect “until further clarification is received on the procedure for applying the provisions” of the law on increased 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 MFA refers, provide:
6) to establish, in accordance with the procedure determined by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, a special regime of entry and exit, to restrict the freedom of movement of citizens, foreigners and stateless persons, as well as the movement of vehicles;
16) prohibit citizens registered 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; restrict alternative (non-military) service;
The main provisions of the mobilization law include:
- Restriction of the right to drive vehicles for those who evade fulfillment of duties at the request of the TCC and JV;
- it is obligatory to have a military registration document and present it at the request of a representative of the TCC, a police officer or a border guard;
- mandatory updating of personal data by persons liable for military service within 60 days of the law’s entry into force (both those in Ukraine and those abroad). This can be done via email, phone, or e-cabinet.
