IRB – Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (Author): “Information on current conscription practices and alternative military service [UKR9897]”, Document #1205067

Information on current conscription practices and alternative military service [UKR9897]

The Ukrainian armed forces was officially created by a decree from President Kravchuk on 13 December 1991 (RFE 20 Dec. 1991, 39). However, the "Ukrainian Supreme Soviet voted to place all existing military formations on the republic's territory under its jurisdiction" on 24 August 1991 and a number of draft laws on defense and military issues were introduced into Parliament in October 1991 (RFE 8 Nov. 1991, 19). According to the attached Radio Free Europe report, "Defense and Security Planning in the Ukraine," the Ukraine will have a mixed conscript/contract military force for several years with the eventual goal being the establishment of a fully professional army (6 Dec. 1991, 17). According to this report, in October 1991, the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers issued an autumn draft notice of military service to eligible Ukrainian nationals (Ibid., 16). The report further indicates that the draft Law on the Armed Forces of Ukraine, expected to be adopted with little change, states that the Ukrainian armed forces "are organized on the principle of the general military obligations of citizens..." (Ibid., 17). The issue of alternative military service is not directly addressed by this report.

An article from The Chicago Tribune indicates that all conscripts in the Ukraine will remain in the republic and serve either in the National Guard or the army (30 Nov. 1991). Other reports from Reuters and the BBC also indicate that the Ukraine intends that Ukrainian conscripts will complete their military service in the Ukraine (Reuters 1 Dec 1991; BBC Summary 28 Dec. 1991; 21 Nov. 1991). One report from the BBC indicates that the Ukraine faces conscription problems in Kirovograd (13 December 1991). The Chicago Tribune article reports that only Ukrainian nationals will be able to serve in the Ukrainian armed forces, explaining further that, as of 24 September 1991, all residents of Ukraine, regardless of ethnic background, became Ukrainian nationals (Ibid.). Radio Free Europe corroborates that the Ukraine passed a liberal nationality law in October 1991 (18 Oct. 1991, 40). Details of this law are not currently available to the IRBDC.

Bibliography

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 28 December 1991. "Ukraine's Defence Minister Says Parliament Decrees on Service Being Implemented."

_____. 13 December 1991. "Ukraine Faces Problems With Call-up."

_____. 21 November 1991. "Conscripts from Lvov Oblast Allowed to Serve in Ukraine."

The Chicago Tribune. 30 November 1991. "Questions Arise as Ukraine Creates an Army."

Institute on Religion and Democracy, Washington, D.C. 21 January 1991. Telephone Interview with Representative.

Radio Free Europe. 20 December 1991. Vol. 3, No. 51/51. Report on the USSR. "Weekly Record of Events."

_____. 6 December 1991. Vol. 3, No. 49. Report on the USSR. Mihalisko, Kathleen. "Defense and Security Planning in Ukraine."

_____. 8 November 1991. Vol. 3, No. 45. Report on the USSR. Mihalisko, Kathleen. "Laying the Foundation for the Armed Forces of Ukraine."

_____. 18 October 1991. Vol. 3, No. 42. "Weekly Record of Events."

Reuters. 1 December 1991. "Soviet Soldiers Vote for Ukrainian Independence."

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