Deputy Minister Kurbatov: If Science is Used to Evade Mobilization, It is a Very Small Percentage
In an interview with Interfax-Ukraine, Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Education and Science, Denys Kurbatov, addressed the issue of scientific positions being exploited to evade mobilization, stating that while not all individuals in science are innocent, the instances of such cases are minimal.
Denys Kurbatov, the Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine, shared his insights in an interview with the news agency Interfax-Ukraine regarding the use of scientific positions as a means to avoid mobilization. He emphasized that although he cannot claim that 100% of individuals in the scientific community do not exploit their positions for evasion, if such cases do exist, their numbers are very insignificant.
Kurbatov highlighted that in previous years, particularly at the onset of the full-scale war, postgraduate studies were indeed utilized as one of the methods to evade mobilization. However, according to him, the situation has significantly changed since then. The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine has implemented additional exams and checks, which have led to a reduction in such instances. 'We have almost returned to pre-war levels,' he noted.
He also pointed out that one of the factors contributing to the stabilization of the situation for scientists in Ukraine has been the government's provision of 100% reservation for individuals with academic degrees who work in science and higher education. This decision has allowed for the retention of personnel in the scientific field and prevented their departure from the country.
It is worth mentioning that earlier, the Deputy Minister of Education and Science, Mykola Trofymenko, reported a significant decrease in the number of male applicants over the age of 25 across all educational levels in 2025. According to him, this reduction has more than doubled compared to 2024, indicating serious challenges faced by the higher education system in Ukraine amid the ongoing war.
Thus, the situation in Ukraine's scientific sector remains complex, but thanks to the measures taken, including the reservation for scientists, the negative impacts of mobilization have been mitigated. It is crucial for the state to continue supporting the scientific community, as science is an essential component of the country's development, especially in light of contemporary challenges.