Vehicles for the Armed Forces: what exactly will be seized under mobilization
First of all, trucks and special equipment that can be used to transport ammunition and personnel will be seized. The defense forces will also need off-road vehicles that can help them perform certain tasks in off-road conditions.
If the owner has more than one vehicle, they can be seized to fulfill the tasks of the security and defense sector. This was reported by a representative of the Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence, Fedir Venislavsky. According to him, “there is no problem with that.”
Although it is quite possible to confiscate cars from Ukrainian citizens during martial law, no cars will be taken away for the needs of the army, Venislavsky promises. In his opinion, this provision, which was added to the already adopted law No. 10449 on mobilization, does not contradict the Constitution.
“The Constitution of Ukraine allows for restrictions on human and civil rights and freedoms. In particular, I would like to emphasize that in matters of ownership and use, disposal of property, the state may restrict this right under martial law. This rule, by and large, exists in the current law on mobilization, which provides for the possibility of mobilizing vehicles of enterprises, organizations and citizens,” Venislavsky said.
However, the deputy emphasized that we are talking about either temporary seizure or irrevocable seizure, but with compensation for the cost of these vehicles.
“In this law, we have specified that if a vehicle is the only source of a person’s livelihood, it cannot be seized. It also provides that there should not be a situation where a person has only one vehicle and it can be seized – this will not happen. But if there are more vehicles than one, if they can potentially be adapted to fulfill the tasks of the security and defense sector, they can be seized,” Venislavsky explained.
The MP clarified that these are specific vehicles that can be used for military purposes.
“That is, a passenger car, an ordinary car, is definitely not needed for the Armed Forces. We are talking about trucks for the transportation of ammunition, personnel, special equipment that can provide or carry out engineering support for the Armed Forces. And off-road vehicles, which can also help in performing certain tasks in off-road conditions. Passenger vehicles are not exactly needed for such purposes. Therefore, no one will confiscate ordinary passenger cars owned by citizens,” the MP assures.
Under the new law, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, in accordance with the procedure established by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, ensures that information on registered vehicles that may be used to man the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations during a special period is submitted to the territorial centers for manning and social support.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine determines and approves the norms of free-of-charge engagement, seizure and compulsory alienation of vehicles and equipment for the period of mobilization and wartime.
