Field medics can’t be ascribed infantry duties- Zelensky’s decree

Source: Volodymyr Zelensky

On Thusday, Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed Decree No. 817/2024 that bans transfers of military personnel with medical background to non-medical roles within the military during martial law.

The decree, effective immediately, wants to make sure doctors remain in positions where their expertise is most needed, although the ban allows exceptions for cases when a person applies for such transfers volintarily.

The government will need to develop regulatory frameworks to address the new norm during martial law.

The decree allegedly comes in rensponse to reports when medical professionals who are a valuable asset on a battlefield ended up acting as infantry troops.