According to lawyer Marina Bekalo, young individuals who turn 17 this year are indeed being registered for military service and may undergo psychological evaluations and fitness assessments for future service. However, the specific form described by parents — a request for "citizen's consent to military service" along with detailed family information — appears to be contentious.
“Currently, 16-year-olds are being sent to military enlistment offices from schools. A bunch of forms have been issued, and among them is this one. It’s ridiculous. Citizen's consent to military service. What kind of consent can there be at 16, and for what kind of service? I’ve heard that they’re already pushing consent forms in advance, and then at 18, they draft them into the military, but I didn’t think these were real stories. What do you think, what has been your experience, mothers of sons born in 2007-2008?” a mother reported.
Bekalo explained that such consent forms, as well as a “social passport” that collects family data such as income, employment, and loans, are not legally mandatory. They are based on methodological guidelines issued by military authorities, which serve as recommendations rather than official requirements.
The primary purpose of the form seems to be obtaining permission for psychological evaluation, rather than formalizing a commitment to military service. Thus, parents and young people are not legally obligated to fill out or submit these forms.
Yes, lawyer Marina Bekalo noted that the methodological recommendations for psychological selection of conscripts were indeed approved in 2016 by Major General V. M. Nazarov, who was then the First Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. These recommendations, aimed at assessing the psychological readiness of candidates for military service, were published on the Ministry of Defense's website and outline the procedures for evaluating the psychological fitness of conscripts.
For those affected, this means that signing such forms is not mandatory, and refusal should not have immediate consequences regarding future conscription. However, it is advisable to stay informed about any legislative changes and consult a lawyer for specific recommendations if necessary.
“The absurdity of the content of the social passport form doesn’t need further commentary; it’s all quite clear. But I want to emphasize that young men and their parents are not obliged to provide such information about themselves and their families, considering that these are merely methodological provisions that are advisory in nature,” the lawyer explains.