Ministry of Defence has developed new mechanism of rotation at front, which provides for rest after 90 days of combat service, - "servant of people" Venislavskyi
The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has developed a new mechanism of rotation at the front, which provides for "several months of rest" for a soldier after 90 days of continuous service and participation in combat operations. This mechanism is an alternative to the law on demobilisation.
This was stated by the People's Deputy of Ukraine ("Servant of the People" faction), member of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security, Defence and Intelligence Fedir Venislavskyi on "Radio Liberty", Censor.NET reports.
"This is exactly the mechanism that the Minister of Defence also mentions in his address, a rotation mechanism has been developed: after 90 days of direct participation in hostilities, a person has the right to rest, again, for several months. This is an alternative to dismissal or setting clear terms of service... Mr Umerov says that these recommendations have already been developed, so let's wait," the MP explained.
According to him, it is "impossible to regulate this at the level of law", so it will most likely be "bylaws and directives of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces".
"This should be a directive: either a decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief Staff or an order of the Сommander-in-Сhief... Because at the level of law, we cannot take into account the specifics of combat operations, when and how many people can be dismissed," Venislavskyi said.
According to him, a law on clear terms of military service has already been drafted, but he does not see the possibility of its adoption.
"Today, the Committee on National Security, Defence and Intelligence received relevant information signed by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, who noted that the bill had been drafted," he said.
The draft law provides for various options for discharge from military service after 36, 12 or 18 months of continuous service in a combat zone or direct participation in combat operations.
"But there is the position of the General Staff, there is the real situation at the front. And in a situation where Russia is trying to put pressure on various fronts, the adoption of such a law will immediately lead to the dismissal of a very large number of people, which will have very negative consequences. Therefore, at this point, it is, as I have repeatedly told you, too optimistic to say that we will receive this draft law and it will be voted for," Venislavskyi concluded.
As reported earlier, the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defence and Intelligence, together with the General Staff of the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence, has drafted a bill that provides that military service will not be suspended for the period of soldier's AWOL or desertion.
Draft law on demobilisation
On 11 April 2024, the Verkhovna Rada passed a law on mobilisation. It obliged the Ministry of Defence to develop a draft law on demobilisation within eight months.
By 18 December, the Ministry of Defence had to prepare a relevant draft law.
According to media reports, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has asked the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defence and Intelligence to postpone until 18 March 2025 the deadline for drafting a bill on the conditions for demobilisation of military personnel during martial law.
