Mobilization in a new way: what awaits students who do not undergo military training

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From September 2025, mandatory basic military training (BZVP) will start for students in Ukraine.

It will include a theoretical part, which will be taught in educational institutions, and a practical part – in military units and centers.

Those students who refuse to undergo practical training will be expelled, the Ministry of Defense announced.

What is the BZVP for students: a brief overview

The BZVP is a military training program for students that is integrated into the educational process of higher education institutions. It provides for 300 academic hours and consists of two components:

• a theoretical course (90 academic hours) will be held directly in educational institutions;
• a practical course (210 academic hours) will be implemented in special training centers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The theoretical course will be taught to all students. The practical part must be completed by all men who are fit by health.

Women who are fit by health will be able to join the practical classes exclusively voluntarily. To do this, they will need to register with the CCC and the SP.

After completing the BZVP, students take the military oath and receive a certificate and a military accounting specialty. This will exempt them from mandatory basic military service, which, according to current legislation, all men aged 18-25 must complete.

Also, completing the BZVP will be a prerequisite for the first job in the civil service, local government bodies and the prosecutor's office.

The program is designed for students of full-time and dual forms of study.

Practical classes will be held during the holidays, which will avoid a conflict with basic training.

Before the practical part begins, all participants will undergo a medical examination in accordance with the Regulations on Military Medical Examination in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Students who are found unfit for military service will be exempted from the practical course.

Can they be expelled due to refusal to take the Basic Military Service Examination?

The Ministry of Defense website also states that the refusal of a male student who is found fit for military service to take the basic military service practical training is grounds for his expulsion from the educational institution in accordance with the law.

• own desire
• failure to fulfill the curriculum
• violation of the terms of the contract with the educational institution
• as well as in other cases established by law

However, such a basis for expelling higher education applicants as refusal to undergo basic military training is not yet provided for by either the relevant legislation on education, the Law of Ukraine “On Military Duty and Military Service”, or the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 734 of June 21, 2024, which regulates the procedure for passing basic military training.

The Law of January 9, 2025 No. 4197-ИХ, which regulates some issues regarding the passage of basic military training, also does not contain such consequences of refusing to undergo it as expulsion from higher education institutions.

Will master's and postgraduate students undergo BZVP

According to the Law of Ukraine “On Military Duty and Military Service”, men aged 18 to 25 who are fit for this in terms of health are sent to undergo BZVP. At the same time, citizens have the right to independently choose the year of BZVP until they reach 24 years of age.

However, the procedure for passing the BZVP provides that theoretical training for applicants for higher education based on complete general secondary education takes place in the second year of study, and for applicants based on the educational and qualification level of a junior specialist, professional junior bachelor and bachelor – in the first year of study.

“What about other education seekers, in particular master's and postgraduate students who are under 25 years old, this issue has not yet been resolved and needs to be finalized, since the BZVP is mandatory for all men under the age of 25,” says Maryna Bekalo.

Can they mobilize if they have not passed the BZVP

According to Part 5 of Article 23 of the Law on Mobilization, military conscripts who have passed the BZVP or basic military service are not subject to conscription during mobilization until they reach the age of 25.  

“This means that all men aged 18-25 who have not passed the BZVP and who do not have grounds for a deferment can be mobilized,” said Maryna Bekalo.

However, according to the lawyer, if, for example, a full-time or dual-form student does not violate the sequence of receiving education according to the relevant data from the EDEBO, while not passing the BZVP, the deferment should be maintained for the entire period of study (according to paragraph 1, part 3, article 23 of the Law on Mobilization).

“And he cannot be expelled from the university, at least according to the norms of the legislation that are in force today, despite the statements of the Ministry of Defense,” says the lawyer.