The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine is preparing large-scale changes in the army recruitment system. The launch of the second phase of the Defense Forces reform is scheduled for July 2026, which is expected to radically change the interaction between the state and conscripted citizens. If the first phase, which began in mid-June, focused on financial issues and contracts, the July phase is aimed at the structural restructuring of the work of Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Centers (TRSSC).
From Bureaucracy to Service: New Rules of the Game
The main goal of the upcoming changes is to move away from chaotic administrative actions to clear service algorithms. According to statements from sources in the defense sector, the key task is to increase the transparency of accounting and reduce pressure on citizens. The reform implies the transformation of TRSSC from purely administrative bodies into service centers.
As part of the new phase, a separation of functions is planned: processes related to the processing of deferments, the reservation of critical infrastructure employees, and data updates are being transferred to an automated online format. This should minimize the need to visit administrative buildings personally and reduce the number of contacts with officials, which, according to analysts, will become a powerful factor in reducing corruption risks.
Technological Breakthrough: Integration of 'Reserve+' and 'Obereg'
The technical core of the reform will be the development of the digital ecosystem. The functionality of the state application 'Reserve+' will be significantly expanded. An algorithm for automatic data verification is being introduced through the direct integration of the 'Obereg' registry with the databases of the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Education. This will allow the system to independently verify citizen statuses and data, eliminating the need to provide paper certificates.
Special attention is paid to the reform of the medical examination system. A comprehensive audit of the activities of military-medical commissions (MMC) is being introduced. Comprehensive digitalization is designed to increase the objectivity of conclusions and strengthen the control of the central apparatus of the Ministry of Defense over regional commissions, eliminating the subjective factor in determining the category of fitness.
Legal Framework and Dealing with Violators
It is important to note that the introduction of electronic systems does not exempt citizens from their constitutional duty to defend the state. All procedural actions will be carried out strictly within the framework of the Law of Ukraine "On Mobilization Preparation and Mobilization" and the martial law regime. The reform clearly distinguishes between mobilization conscription functions and voluntary recruitment, which is being reoriented towards direct contracts with units.
A special vector of the reform is directed towards working with persons who are under official search or have violated military accounting rules. The regulation provides for the formalization of actions to eliminate legal uncertainty. In particular, strict requirements are maintained for young men reaching the age of 17 in 2026: they are obliged to complete the data verification procedure by July 31, 2026.
Results of the First Phase: Money and Contracts
Before launching the second phase, it is worth looking back at the results of the first phase, which started in mid-June. It affected the financial and economic block, including a review of monetary allowances and the introduction of new types of contracts. For infantry positions and UAV operators, guaranteed terms for subsequent deferments were provided. The legal status of servicemen who voluntarily left the units before June 12 but are ready to return to service by September was also regulated.
The conceptual foundations of the July changes and the technical toolkit will be officially presented by the leadership of the Ministry of Defense in the near future. Experts agree that transferring documentation to the digital plane is a necessary step to create predictable and transparent conditions for army recruitment in modern realities.