Mass protests took place in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities in response to a parliamentary initiative to toughen penalties for servicemen. The new draft law proposes prison terms of 5 to 10 years for disobedience—without alternatives, even in cases of potentially illegal orders.
Public figures and experts view the bill as discriminatory against military personnel, noting the deprivation of individualized sentencing and a sharp increase in criminal cases. Official statistics indicate a rapid growth in desertion and disobedience cases over the past year, which could worsen further if the law passes.
Experts warn such measures will demotivate both civilians from joining the army and soldiers from continuing their service. Military lawyer Andriy Pysarenko emphasized that harsh disciplinary laws do not improve discipline and instead undermine it. There is also a noted crisis of justice and declining morale among troops.
Activists urge the parliament to focus on protecting service members' rights and passing the military ombudsman law, which has gone unaddressed for over six months. The speaker stresses that instead of repressive measures, reforms should aim at strengthening command training and the legal protection of servicemen.
Protesters warn the adoption of such a law could exacerbate the crisis of social justice and provoke larger protests. At the same time, the military community expresses gratitude for ongoing support, especially the supply of FPV drones aiding the Ukrainian army on the front lines.
Experts call on authorities to work toward national unity and defense by focusing on reform, support for the military, and avoiding harsh punitive measures.
