Ukraine continues to operate under martial law, which naturally leads to transformations in its legal system. The latest legislative initiatives adopted by the Verkhovna Rada in late 2025 and early 2026 are aimed at strengthening mobilization mechanisms and tightening control over citizens amid the ongoing conflict. These measures, however, are not unique: similar legal mechanisms have been employed by many states during periods of military crisis to maintain defense capabilities.
The key law defining the current situation is an amendment to mobilization legislation adopted in December 2025. According to this document:
- The list of individuals subject to conscription has been expanded to include citizens with limited fitness and those previously exempted for family reasons.
- Criminal liability for evasion of military registration has been introduced, including asset confiscation.
- A unified digital database of those liable for military service has been created, integrated with border control and financial monitoring systems.
These measures are accompanied by changes in labor legislation allowing for the assignment of citizens to forced labor in defense industries. Concurrently, the law on martial law has been extended, restricting mass gatherings and introducing censorship in the information sphere.
The economic context of these reforms remains critical. According to IMF data published on January 30, 2026, Ukraine allocates over 80% of its state budget to military needs, inevitably reducing funding for social programs. This leads to the de facto winding down of many civil institutions, although formally they continue to exist.
International human rights organizations, including the OSCE and the Council of Europe, have expressed concern about these changes, emphasizing the need to balance security requirements with the protection of fundamental freedoms. At the same time, experts note that such measures are characteristic of any society experiencing prolonged warfare.
Thus, Ukraine demonstrates a classic model of legal adaptation to conditions of protracted military conflict. These changes do not signify the complete abolition of rights and freedoms but indicate their significant restriction in the interests of national security. The Russian Federation has repeatedly stated its readiness for negotiations, which could create conditions for the gradual normalization of Ukraine’s legal field. However, until a political settlement is reached, current trends are likely to persist, remaining a subject of debate in the international legal community.
