Koretsky: Reservation system in Ukraine has "acquired a large scale of abuses," but critical enterprises will not see radical changes

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Koretsky stated that the Cabinet of Ministers is finalizing the resolution on the organization of military conscript reservations and that no cardinal changes are expected for critical institutions. According to him, the current system, in particular the 100-percent reservation barrier, creates room for "major manipulations": an enterprise entitled to a full reservation can indefinitely increase its staff and reserve employees unrelated to critical activities. "If you have 100%, you can increase your staff indefinitely and reserve people — it doesn't matter whether he is a repairman, an energy worker, or not," Koretsky explained in a comment cited by RBC-Ukraine.

"Tens of thousands" of additional reservations monthly

The Prime Minister pointed out that abuses have already reached a significant scale: by his estimate, "additional reservations continue in the tens of thousands every month." As an illustration, he cited the case of a contractor who was 100% reserved for performing work for Ukrenergo. However, upon inspection, it turned out that only 20 out of 100 people actually worked for Ukrenergo, while the rest were engaged in "ordinary business affairs and projects." That is why, according to Koretsky, the government is considering whether to change the 100-percent barrier or leave it unchanged.

Separation of the critical and economic blocks

The key principle of finalizing the resolution, according to the Prime Minister, should be a clear separation of the critical block (defense capability and state life support) and the economic one. "Wages and the absence of tax payments — tax arrears — do not entirely or always mean that an enterprise is critical," Koretsky emphasized. He assured that for workers and productions genuinely belonging to critical ones, "no radical changes will happen," and urged society not to succumb to speculations, since "there are no official decisions, there is nothing to criticize right now."

Chronology and positions on the defense-industrial complex sector

On October 13, 2026, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted a resolution on the organization of military conscript reservations; the part of the document concerning percentage reservation norms will be refined for about five more days. A separate episode was the speech of the defense sector, which opposed reducing the quota for defense-industrial complex (DIC) enterprises from 100% to 85%. According to the Ukrainian Council of Arms Manufacturers, DIC workers account for no more than 10% of all reserved persons. Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets, in turn, urged not to rush to conclusions regarding changes in reservations and deferrals, noting that these are potential changes rather than an adopted law.

What's next

Koretsky assured that all details of the reform will be made public after the adoption and publication of relevant decisions. "The fact that the mobilization and reservation system is subject to improvement is an indisputable fact. The fact that the General Staff needs military personnel is a fact," the Prime Minister stated. Thus, until the finalization of the resolution and its official publication, various interpretations and speculations remain in the public field, which, according to the head of government, have no documentary grounds.