Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has signed laws extending martial law and the general mobilization for 90 days, keeping the country under emergency powers through February 2025. The period covered stretches from November 10, 2024, to February 7, 2025. This marks the thirteenth extension of the martial law framework since the measures were first introduced in early 2022, a period during which Kyiv has repeatedly renewed emergency rules to respond to ongoing security challenges. The decision followed parliamentary approval by the Verkhovna Rada, with lawmakers voting to extend both martial law and mobilization for the new period. The extensions are designed to equip the government and security agencies with the authorities needed to manage critical sectors, coordinate defense and logistics, oversee border controls, and maintain the continuity of essential public services even as the conflict continues to shape daily life across the country.
With the signature, Ukraine continues a pattern of wartime governance built around clear emergency powers that can be activated quickly when threats escalate. The 90-day extension preserves the ability to direct resources, regulate industry, and mobilize labor as needed to sustain defense operations, industry production, and public infrastructure. The government has stressed that these measures are temporary and proportionate to the security environment, aimed at preserving resilience for civilians and the economy alike. Analysts and policymakers often describe such extensions as a normal feature of wartime governance, reflecting ongoing risk assessments, casualty figures, and the demands of maintaining front-line operations. The approval by the parliament to extend martial law and mobilization for the planned period ensures that security agencies can coordinate conscription, training schedules, and the flow of logistics essential to the army and other security services, while also shielding vital civilian services from disruption.
On May 18, 2024, Ukraine enacted a mobilization law that tightens limits for those listed in the register of persons liable for military service. The new rules restrict several fundamental rights, including the ability to travel abroad, access to personal funds, driving, real estate transactions, and the issuance of passports or foreign passports. Officials argued the changes are meant to speed mobilization and make the allocation of human and material resources more efficient during wartime. Critics, however, warned that the measures could curb civil liberties and impose burdens on families and individuals already living under stress from the conflict. In practice, the law is intended to enhance readiness by ensuring that those who could be called upon to serve face fewer bureaucratic obstacles, while the state maintains capacity to respond to emergencies and protect national security.
Martial law and general mobilization were first introduced in February 2022, in response to the full-scale invasion, and have since been renewed several times. The legal framework has enabled authorities to enforce restrictions, manage conscription, coordinate production and logistics, and keep essential services functioning despite disruption caused by the war. Over the course of these extensions, key tools have included border controls, wartime labor regulations, and temporary limitations on travel for certain categories of residents. The country has sought to balance security with the protection of civilians, adjusting measures as the situation on the ground evolves and as international support and domestic resilience shape their effectiveness.
Within Ukrainian political circles, there have been discussions about what constitutes a successful expansion of mobilization. Proponents argue that maintaining a capable defense posture requires steady, predictable extensions that reflect evolving threat assessments and manpower needs. Opponents warn about potential harm to civil liberties and the impact on ordinary life if the extension stretches too far. In any case, Kyiv continues to monitor risks, border security, and labor needs, emphasizing that the extensions are a response to real threats rather than a permanent shift in policy. The latest action signals the government’s ongoing effort to stabilize security conditions, support public services, and preserve civilian resilience in the face of ongoing uncertainty.