Ukrainian Government Expands List of Clergy Eligible for Mobilization Exemption

The State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) has made a significant announcement regarding the expansion of the list of clergy who are eligible for exemption from mobilization. This decision is particularly relevant for priests who are engaged in religious activities beyond the borders of Ukraine. The importance of this step lies in its potential to ensure spiritual care for Ukrainian citizens who have been forced to leave their homeland due to the full-scale armed invasion by the Russian Federation.

Victor Yelensky, the head of DESS, informed representatives of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations about the registration of an order issued on April 1, 2026, by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine. This order amends the procedure for the exemption of clergy from mobilization. According to Yelensky, the order expands the list of individuals who may be exempted from mobilization, including clergy working in critically important religious organizations.

Under the new amendments, clergy members who are on foreign assignments for the purpose of performing religious activities, conducting religious rites and ceremonies, as well as those engaged in preaching activities outside of Ukraine, will now be included in the exemption list. It is important to note that these clergy members must be registered either permanently or temporarily at the consulate.

The implementation of this decision is expected to provide adequate and continuous spiritual care for Ukrainian citizens who have left the country due to military actions. This is especially crucial in the context of supporting the moral state of Ukrainians who find themselves abroad and their spiritual development while living in a foreign country.

As previously reported, by the end of January 2023, a total of 9,216 religious organizations in Ukraine were recognized as critically important for the functioning of the economy and ensuring the livelihood of the population during a special period. Among these, 5,739 clergy leaders and employees of religious organizations have already received exemptions from mobilization. This highlights the importance of religious institutions in supporting society during a crisis and underscores the necessity of preserving spiritual values in difficult times.