Dismissal during martial law is possible only on grounds expressly specified by law. Personal disagreement, fatigue, a conflict with a commander or a desire to move into civilian work do not constitute grounds — and no lawyer can change that.
But when there is a valid ground, the problem almost always lies not with the law, but with the paperwork and procedure: the report was not registered, the Medical Examination Commission gave the wrong conclusion, a relative’s disability certificate has expired, or the commander has remained silent for months.
Discharge from military service on health grounds hinges on a single document — the Medical Examination Board’s conclusion of unfitness. Discharge on family grounds is based on a set of documents confirming the grounds at the time the report is considered.
+38 095 554-54-24 — legal advice
Main grounds for discharge
On health grounds — based on the Medical Examination Commission’s conclusion regarding unfitness for military service with removal from military register. This is the only way: without the relevant Medical Examination Commission’s report, discharge on health grounds is not possible, no matter how serious the diagnoses in the medical records may be.
Due to family circumstances — the most common grounds:
- the need to care for a person with a Group I or II disability (in the absence of other persons obliged to provide care);
- three or more children under the age of 18;
- raising a child with a disability;
- raising a child as a single parent;
- a spouse with a Group I or II disability;
- care of a person requiring constant care.
Other grounds: reaching the maximum age for service; a conviction carrying a custodial sentence becoming final; recognition as a person with a disability.
Each ground is subject to specific conditions, and it is within these that the majority of refusals lie. The most common example: caring for a parent with a disability does not entitle the person to discharge if there are other adult children obliged to care for them.
Discharge procedure
- Provide documentary evidence to substantiate the grounds. For health reasons — undergo a medical examination by the Medical Examination Commission and obtain a report. For family circumstances — gather up-to-date certificates, statements and extracts from registers.
- Submit a report to the commander — with mandatory registration of the incoming document. There is no such thing as a verbal report; a report given ‘verbally’ cannot be substantiated later.
- Consideration of the report by the commander and decision-making.
- Order for discharge and removal from personnel records.
- Settlement — payment of due funds, issue of documents.
Key mistake: submitting a report without the required documents. Such a report will be considered merely as a formality and rejected — and time will be wasted.
If the commander refuses or remains silent
This is the most common situation we are approached about.
Firstly — documentation. The report must be registered: reference number, date, signature. If the report has ‘gone missing’ — resubmit it by post with a list of contents. Without proof of submission, there is no point in appealing.
Next — submit a report to the next higher command or appeal to higher command.
Then — the administrative court. The commander’s decision and failure to act may be challenged under the rules of the Code of Administrative Procedure. Court fees — 1,331.20 UAH (0.4 times the minimum subsistence level in 2026). The court may rule that the inaction was unlawful and order the report to be considered on its merits.
Important: leaving one’s unit without permission ‘due to injustice’ is not a solution, but a separate offence under Article 407 of the Criminal Code punishable by a sentence of 5 years or more. An unlawful refusal by a commander must be appealed against, not ‘resolved’ by deserting without authorisation.
Discharge on medical grounds: everything is decided by the Medical Examination Commission
If the Medical Examination Commission has deemed you fit for service — your request for discharge on medical grounds will not be considered, regardless of your diagnoses.
Therefore, the process begins not with the application, but with appealing the Medical Examination Commission’s conclusion: a complaint to a higher commission or an administrative claim. In this case, the court reviews the procedure (whether all doctors examined you, whether the mandatory tests were carried out, whether the documents were taken into account), rather than the medical substance of the conclusion.
For more details: A lawyer specialising in the Medical Examination Commission.
It is also important to correctly establish the causal link between the illness or injury and military service — your benefits, status and pension depend on this.
When a lawyer is not needed
If the Medical Examination Commission has declared you unfit for service, the documents are in order, and the commander has issued an order — everything proceeds without a lawyer. We will state this clearly.
A lawyer is needed when:
- the commander refuses or fails to consider the report for months;
- the Medical Examination Commission has deemed you fit for service contrary to medical records;
- the grounds do in fact exist but have not been formalised (care responsibilities, a relative’s disability);
- the causal link between an injury and service has been incorrectly established;
- upon discharge the due funds were not paid;
- you wish to be discharged lawfully, but are advised to ‘just leave’.
How we work
- We verify the grounds — whether they exist in law, not just in fact.
- We prepare the documents — certificates, status documents, and, where necessary, through the courts (guardianship, establishment of facts).
- We work with the Medical Examination Commission — we challenge their conclusions and seek a re-examination.
- We prepare a report and ensure it is properly registered.
- We challenge the commander’s refusal or inaction in the administrative court.
- We defend financial rights — severance pay, pension recalculation.
Cost of services
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Consultation with a military lawyer | from 1,500 UAH |
| Legal opinion: verification of grounds for dismissal | from 5,000 UAH |
| Preparation of a report and a set of documents | from 5,000 UAH |
| Appeal against the Medical Examination Commission’s opinion | from 5,000 UAH |
| Preparation of a statement of claim and procedural documents | from 5,000 UAH |
| Participation in one court hearing | from 3,000 UAH |
| Legal representation in court | from 10,000 UAH |
| Comprehensive ‘turnkey’ support for administrative cases | from 30,000 UAH |
Court fee: 1,331.20 UAH for an administrative claim (2026).
Full price list · Payments to military personnel
Questions and answers (Discharge from military service)
Is it possible to resign voluntarily during martial law?
No. Discharge is only possible on grounds expressly specified by law: health, family circumstances, age limit and others. Personal disagreement is not a valid ground.
What is required for discharge on health grounds?
A medical board’s conclusion of unfitness for military service, resulting in removal from the military register. Without this, discharge on health grounds is not possible, regardless of the diagnosis.
The Medical Examination Commission has deemed me fit, even though I am ill. What should I do?
Appeal against the decision — to a higher Medical Examination Commission or in an administrative court. Only once the decision has been revised does it make sense to submit a request for discharge.
My commander is not considering my application. What should I do?
Ensure that the application has been registered (reference number, date). If not, resubmit it by post with a list of enclosed documents. Next, challenge the inaction in an administrative court.
Can I be discharged to care for my parents?
Yes, if the person in question has a Group I or II disability and there are no other persons obliged to provide care. The presence of other adult children is the most common reason for refusal.
How much does it cost to appeal against a refusal?
The court fee is 1,331.20 UAH (2026). If you win the case, the court costs are recovered from the defendant.
Can you simply leave the service if you are not granted leave?
No. This constitutes unauthorised absence from duty (Article 407 of the Criminal Code) — punishable by a minimum of 5 years’ imprisonment. An unlawful refusal must be challenged in court, not ‘resolved’ by deserting.
What should I do if I haven’t been paid upon discharge?
Recover the funds through the courts. This is a separate category of case, and it is usually successful provided the necessary documents are available.
What documents should I bring to the consultation?
Your contract or mobilisation documents, the Medical Examination Commission’s report, medical records, a report with a registration stamp, documents confirming family circumstances, and the commander’s refusal.
Consulting a solicitor regarding discharge from military service at the company ‘Svarog’
Describe your situation — we’ll tell you whether you have a legal basis, where to start (the Medical Examination Commission or your documents) and what to do if your commander remains silent. If there are no grounds — you’ll be told straight away: desertion ‘due to injustice’ carries a sentence of at least 5 years’ imprisonment.
+38 095 554-54-24 · Kyiv, 7 Khoriva St, Office 2 (Podil) · Mon–Fri 9.00–18.00