DESS announces new procedure for deferring clergy from mobilization

The State Service for Ethnopolitics promises to hold an online meeting with representatives of religious centers in the near future. Photo: 112.ua

The State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) has announced the entry into force of a new procedure for reserving clergy from mobilization. The announcement was published on the official DESS website.

According to the agency’s press service, on November 10, 2025, Order No. H-177/11 was issued, establishing the procedure for submitting documents to obtain deferment for clergy. Amendments were later introduced on November 14 by Order No. H-186/04. The document was published on November 18 in the Official Bulletin of Ukraine.

DESS stated that it will soon hold an online meeting with representatives of religious centers and administrations to provide explanations on the new procedure and the document-submission algorithm. The corresponding instructions, along with the order itself, are expected to be posted on the agency’s website in the coming days.

As the UOJ reported, DESS and PACE previously discussed the law banning the UOC and the mobilization of clergy. During that meeting, participants addressed the need to update legislation concerning alternative (non-military) service and the possibility of granting deferments to clergy. DESS representatives stated that they are working on “improving the mechanisms” for registering clergy.

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