Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked parliament to extend martial law and general mobilisation across the country for another 90 days.
Under the draft legislation submitted to the Verkhovna Rada, the emergency measures would remain in force until 29 January 2027. Both martial law and mobilisation are currently in effect until 31 October.
Separate draft laws covering martial law and general mobilisation were registered in the Verkhovna Rada on 26 October, according to an official notice published on the parliament's website.
Ukraine initially introduced martial law on 24 February 2022, the day Russia launched its full-scale invasion of the country. General military mobilisation was declared at the same time. Since that initial declaration, lawmakers in the Verkhovna Rada have renewed both measures every three months to maintain the country's wartime legal status.
Martial law rules and military mobilisation
Martial law provides the legal basis for the state and military command to organise national defence and security operations during wartime. Under Ukrainian law, the special regime allows authorities to enforce curfews, establish military checkpoints, regulate internal travel, and temporarily restrict specific constitutional rights and public assemblies. The regulations also bar most Ukrainian civilian men between the ages of 18 and 60 from leaving the country, and formally suspend scheduled parliamentary and presidential elections until the measure ends.
General mobilisation operates alongside martial law to sustain Ukrainian combat forces in the field. The measure allows the military to call up reservists, register conscripts, and enlist eligible citizens into the Ukrainian Armed Forces to defend national territory against Russian military forces.
Parliamentary approval and wartime governance
The Verkhovna Rada is Ukraine's national parliament, based in the capital city of Kyiv. Under the Ukrainian constitution, any presidential decree that declares or extends martial law and mobilisation must receive formal legislative approval by a majority vote among lawmakers in the chamber before entering into force.
Zelenskyy, a former television actor and comedian who was elected to the presidency in 2019, has served as supreme commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces and directed international diplomatic efforts throughout the conflict. Following formal approval by the Verkhovna Rada, the extension will mark the 21st time Ukraine has prolonged martial law and mobilisation since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
