The closer we get to the new school year, which will begin this year in September, the more conscripted men aged 25+ are wondering whether the right to deferment will be preserved in the new 2026-2027 academic semester.
In this article, we will analyze in detail what to expect for those who plan to become a student after the age of 25, and will those who are already studying and are over 35+ years old lose their deferral?
Read also: Lowering the mobilization age to 23 years: what to expect in 2026?
Why did the problem with deferrals arise?
Almost every day, statements are heard from various sources about the restriction of the right to deferment, and especially one of the simplest in terms of obtaining under the legislation on mobilization training and mobilization , such as a deferment of training. Since the first days of the war, there have been many questions from society and from active military personnel regarding the granting of a deferment of training to men aged 35+ or even 45+.
On the one hand, this constitutional right to education is guaranteed to every citizen of Ukraine, which cannot be constitutionally restricted ( Article 53 of the Constitution of Ukraine – everyone has the right to education). However, there is often a situation of abuse of rights, especially in the case of fictitious education of men in vocational schools and colleges, where for admission it is not even necessary to pass state exams, only a certificate and internal motivation letters are enough.
Cases have repeatedly appeared in the media where so-called “students” after 35+ years have never even been to the place where their educational institution is located, that is, they actually do not attend the place of education (which must be full-time to receive a deferral), which creates cases of abuse of the right to education and illegal obtaining of the right to deferral from mobilization.
This version is particularly cited as an example by People’s Deputy Fedienko in one of the broadcasts on the Apostrophe TV channel; you can watch a fragment of the video speech below.
Are changes really being prepared?
From the same statement of the MP, it becomes clear that parliamentarians are aware of the problem and may soon reconsider the issue of the advisability of granting a deferral of education for persons aged 35+. All this is precisely because of the problem of abuse of the right to education, through fictitious education in order to obtain a deferral from mobilization.
Currently, there are no draft laws or bills included in the agenda for consideration at the session of the Verkhovna Rada that are publicly available on the website of the Verkhovna Rada, which would shed light on the text of the new changes, who exactly will be affected by the abolition of the right to deferral, how this will be regulated, whether it will only apply to persons aged 25+ or, conversely, whether the abolition of the right to deferral will only affect students in their thirties.
Read also: Army reform: Clear terms of service for mobilized AFU members starting in 2026
Result
Despite the lively public discussion on the need to introduce restrictions or minimum wage at the age of 25 or 35+, there are currently no projects or bills put to a vote that could be adopted in the near future for the new 2026-2027 academic season. However, it is possible that such a bill could be brought forward at any time and could be promptly put to a vote by the deputies of the Supreme Council, given the acute socio-political topic of this problem and the need to prevent abuse of the right to deferment through fictitious education.
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