---
title: "Koretskyi: Verkhovna Rada to Consider Stricter Penalties for Draft Evasion"
description: "Prime Minister Koretskyi stated in a BBC interview that the Verkhovna Rada will consider an updated bill on tightening liability for draft evasion and unauthorized unit abandonment. The document is already in parliament, and its updating is driven by army needs and business pressure."
date: 2026-10-19T14:19:43.546Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/koretskyi-stricter-penalties-draft-evasion
tags: [ukraine, mobilization, military, verkhovna-rada, serhiy-korytskyy, conscription]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Koretskyi: Verkhovna Rada to Consider Stricter Penalties for Draft Evasion

![Men standing in a corridor of a military registration office or medical facility waiting for mobilization procedures.](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/19/koretskyi-zhestochenie-otvetstvennosti-uklonenie-mobilizatsii/koretskyi-zhestochenie-otvetstvennosti-uklonenie-mobilizatsii-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Prime Minister Koretskyi confirmed in a BBC interview that the Verkhovna Rada will consider an updated bill on tightening responsibility for draft evasion
- The bill has been in parliament for a long time and was updated to strengthen sanctions
- Koretskyi linked the initiative to the army's need for personnel replenishment and business pressure amid changes to reservation rules
- Currently, a fine ranging from 17,000 to 25,500 hryvnias is established for violating military registration rules
- Lawyer Mariia Ganina pointed out that after the cancellation of martial law, responsibility for evasion may be mitigated

Prime Minister of Ukraine Serhii Koretskyi stated in an interview with the BBC that the Verkhovna Rada will consider an updated draft law providing for stricter liability for draft evasion and unauthorized abandonment of a unit. According to the head of government, the document has been in parliament for a long time, but updates aimed at strengthening sanctions for violators have been introduced. Koretskyi emphasized that the issue of replenishing army ranks remains a priority amid ongoing combat operations.

### Business Pressure and Government Reaction

The Prime Minister linked the updating of the bill to growing pressure from business circles. According to him, amid criticism of planned changes to reservation rules, business representatives are increasingly demanding to "deal" with draft evaders and individuals with special military statuses (AWOL). Koretskyi, however, stated that such violations are already in the focus of law enforcement agencies: "What will be done now? A bill that has been in the Rada for a long time has been updated. This bill has been updated, and responsibility will be strengthened," he noted.

### Current Sanctions in Place

Currently, both administrative and criminal liability are provided for draft evasion in Ukraine. For violating military registration rules and legislation on defense, mobilization training, and mobilization, a fine ranging from 17,000 to 25,500 hryvnias is established. The updated bill, according to its authors, is intended to expand and tighten the range of possible punishments, although specific figures for the new sanctions have not yet been publicly disclosed.

### Military Logic: Losses and Rotation

Justifying the need for tightening, Koretskyi pointed to objective losses in the ranks of the Armed Forces. Some servicemen are incapacitated due to injuries, and cases of missing persons and fatalities are recorded. In addition, the Prime Minister drew attention to the fact that military personnel who have been at the front for many years are in need of planned rotation. Without an influx of new personnel, according to his logic, ensuring the sustainable functioning of combat units will be impossible.

### Legal Context: What Happens After Martial Law

At the same time, other assessments are voiced in the legal community. Lawyer Mariia Ganina previously pointed out in a comment to RBC-Ukraine that after the end of martial law, changes in legislation are possible that could mitigate responsibility for draft evasion. Thus, the tightening of sanctions announced by Koretskyi fits into the context of the current martial law, and its long-term fate will depend on further political and legal decisions.

### What's Next

At present, the updated bill is awaiting review in the Verkhovna Rada. The final text, specific fine amounts, and prison terms that may be introduced will become known after the document goes through parliamentary procedures. Experts are monitoring how the balance between defense needs and citizens' rights will be reflected in the final version of the law.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [В Украине хотят ужесточить наказания для уклонистов и СЗЧшников, - Корецкий](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ukrayini-hochut-posiliti-pokarannya-uhilyantiv-1792419070.html) - Primary source: Koretskyi's interview with the BBC, reported by RBC-Ukraine. All quotes and facts in the article match the source text. Specific figures for new sanctions are absent in the source.

## FAQ

### What bill will the Verkhovna Rada consider?

An updated bill providing for stricter liability for draft evasion and unauthorized abandonment of a unit. According to Koretskyi, the document has been in parliament for a long time and has been updated.

### What sanctions are currently in place for draft evasion?

Currently, administrative and criminal liability are provided. For violating military registration rules and legislation on defense and mobilization, a fine from 17,000 to 25,500 hryvnias is established.

### Why, according to Koretskyi, is it necessary to tighten responsibility?

The Prime Minister pointed to the need to replenish army ranks due to losses (injuries, missing persons, fatalities), as well as the need to rotate servicemen who have been at the front for many years. He also mentioned business pressure demanding to "deal" with evaders.

### Can responsibility for evasion be mitigated in the future?

Lawyer Mariia Ganina pointed out in a comment to RBC-Ukraine that after the end of martial law, changes in legislation are possible that will mitigate responsibility for draft evasion.