Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Drapatyi launches reform of draft medical boards to stop sending sick to war and root out corruption
The 28 October order brings close monitoring of rulings, scrutiny of fit-then-unfit cases and regular training for board members.
Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi has issued an order to reform medical boards responsible for approving soldiers for the draft, according to a report from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. The reform aims to prevent sending unfit soldiers to the military and curb corruption in the mobilization process. Dmytro Lykhovii, a representative of the Armed Forces’ Main Directorate of Communications, confirmed the order to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
The order targets the military medical commissions at Ukraine’s recruitment centers, which decide whether an individual is fit for service or should be sent home. Drapatyi emphasized that the reforms will improve the quality of medical examinations, prevent the call-up of individuals who cannot serve due to health reasons, and stop corruption in the mobilization process.
He explained that the order was signed on 28 October to enhance the quality of medical examinations, make it impossible to draft citizens who cannot serve due to health issues, and prevent corruption during mobilization measures.
The commissions’ decisions will now face close monitoring to ensure they are justified. Lykhovii specifically mentioned scrutinizing cases where a person was initially deemed fit but later found unfit due to health issues unrelated to service, as well as individuals with chronic conditions that could worsen during the first months of duty. Additionally, heads and members of the commissions will undergo regular training courses, focusing on current diagnostic standards.
The reforms also aim to tighten oversight of how recruitment-center officials refer people for examinations, manage their documents, and record data in the state register of conscripts, people liable for service, and reservists. This aspect of the reforms is crucial, as previous issues have been documented, including the passing of medical commissions at the mobilization stage, which creates additional problems for commanders.
Ruslan Tsygankov, the first deputy military ombudsman, highlighted that later, these problems become evident in the army, where soldiers are mobilized despite being objectively unfit for service. However, the specific details of how the order will be implemented remain unspecified.
Written by urgent.news from Euromaidan Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
