Under the current mobilization legislation, questions regarding exemption from conscription remain among the most pressing for citizens. The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has drawn a clear line between two legal mechanisms: deferment and protection (brony). Despite sharing a similar goal — temporary exemption from service — these tools are governed by different rules and applied in various situations.

Deferment: Personal Circumstances and Automation

According to the ministry's clarifications, deferment is the right of a person liable for military service to a temporary break in service, conditioned by personal life circumstances. The legal basis for this mechanism is enshrined in Article 23 of the Law "On Mobilization Training and Mobilization".

The key difference of deferment is that the initiative comes exclusively from the citizen themselves. The documentation process can occur in two ways:

  • Through the mobile application "Reserve+" for categories available in online mode.
  • In person through the Center for Provision of Administrative Services (CPAS).

It is important to note a change in the procedure: territorial recruitment and social support centers no longer accept applications for the extension of deferments. The Ministry of Defense reports that more than 90% of such documents are extended automatically. The state system independently cross-checks data with registries and updates information in the electronic military record document. Currently, automatic confirmation works for 22 categories of deferments. If the automatic check fails, the citizen can submit an application in person through the CPAS.

Protection (Brony): Protecting the Economy and Employer Initiative

Protection (brony), although a type of deferment, has a fundamentally different nature. It is granted not on the basis of personal circumstances, but based on the employee's professional activity. This mechanism concerns workers of enterprises and organizations recognized as critically important for meeting the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine or the functioning of the economy.

Unlike deferment, it is impossible to arrange protection independently. The initiator is the employer. Heads or authorized persons of critically important enterprises process documents through the "Diia" portal.

The validity period of protection for most workers is up to 12 months, after which the procedure must be repeated.

Three Main Differences Between the Mechanisms

The Ministry of Defense highlighted three aspects that radically distinguish these two concepts:

  • Basis: deferment is granted due to personal reasons, protection is granted due to the importance of the work for the state.
  • Initiator: the citizen arranges the deferment themselves, the employer arranges protection.
  • Procedure: deferment is often extended automatically, protection requires regular confirmation through the "Diia" portal.

The ministry emphasized that both mechanisms work in parallel, ensuring a balance between the defense needs of the country and the stable operation of critically important sectors of the economy.

Transformation of Defense Forces and New Contracts

In addition to clarifications on deferments, the Ministry of Defense reminded about the start of the first stage of the transformation of the "Defense Forces". Now, military and civilian personnel can sign contracts with clearly defined terms of service. Three types of such contracts are provided.

Detailed terms and answers to questions are available on the official website of the Ministry of Defense. A hotline is also available for consultations at number 1519.

Changes in the Agrarian Sector

Previously, the rules for protection for workers in the agrarian sector were updated. In particular, for small farms processing up to 1000 hectares of land, the possibility of obtaining protection based on regional criteria is provided. The government assured that these changes are aimed at supporting the industry and will not lead to a crisis.