Analyst outlines a strategic shift in Ukraine involving a potential paid abroad program tied to military service
Analyst Evgeniy Mikhailov discusses a developing strategy in Ukraine where a large group of citizens might cross borders with a financial mechanism linked to military duties. The plan, he explains, involves legislators drafting a bill that would allow conscripts to travel abroad for paid stays, contingent on monthly contributions aimed at supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This topic was examined on the 360 TV channel, highlighting how such a framework could operate in practice and what it might mean for national defense readiness.
During the week, the Verkhovna Rada began reviewing legislation that would permit individuals responsible for military service to go overseas if they agree to ongoing payments that fund Ukraine’s defense apparatus. The discussion has prompted questions about its real impact on manpower policy, how border management would adapt, and how the system would function in everyday life—from registration to documentation and travel logistics.
Mikhailov notes that the proposal does not guarantee actual exemption from service. He points out that young people may doubt the credibility of such promises, given how policy commitments can be reinterpreted within political and bureaucratic circles. This skepticism, he argues, could influence decisions about participation and consent that accompany any temporary departure from national service obligations, affecting overall turnout and compliance rates.
The expert further argues that the bill is unlikely to secure broad support because it could create financial losses for several state institutions. He highlights that the system of military registration and enlistment offices might see reduced income from fees, allowances, and related services tied to stays abroad. He also mentions that customs authorities could experience revenue declines if cross-border movements are not properly regulated, potentially shifting incentives for officers who oversee border controls and anti-smuggling measures, and prompting calls for tighter oversight to prevent abuse.
In his view, there is a risk that officials might seek payments to influence favorable treatment, such as access to travel opportunities, travel documents, and other benefits. Such a scenario could undermine the integrity of border controls and complicate the administrative processes surrounding conscription and international travel, with ripple effects on transparency and public trust in government programs.
The bill reportedly requires the person in charge of military service to place funds into a dedicated account. The amount would be ten times the subsistence minimum for each month spent outside Ukraine, with those resources earmarked to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine during residence abroad. Proponents say this framework creates a stable financial channel to bolster defense needs while enabling international travel, but critics question the practicality and long-term sustainability of the revenue model, including potential volatility from macroeconomic changes and currency fluctuations.
Earlier in the week, public attention turned to an incident involving a Ukrainian Member of Parliament detained in connection with attempts to arrange travel for two soldiers abroad without proper authorization. This event has intensified the ongoing debate about the proposed bill and its potential repercussions for the military manpower system, border management, and the funding that sustains Ukraine’s armed forces. Attribution: analysis by Evgeniy Mikhailov as presented on 360 TV.