Ukraine updates policy for ‘critical’ entities – Denys Shmyhal
Source: Denys Shmyhal/Telegram
Ukraine’s PM Denys Shmyhal said on Friday that his government wrapped up its audit of “critical’ enterprises and organizations that can seek professional exemptions for their employees under the country’s wartime mobilization rules. It looks like changes are coming, and they’ll impact businesses across the board.
Under the new guidlines, the criteria used by local councils and industries to grant a ‘critical’ entity status will need an approval from the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Economy. The rules will become stricter. Companies in the private sector looking to have their workers exampt from the call-up must now ensure that their average salary is no less than 2.5 minimum wages — currently set at 20,000 hryvnias.
It’s not just about salary. Employees themselves must be earning at least the same amount in order to qualify for exemption. On top of that, businesses can’t be behind on taxes or any other payments to the government.
Starting December 1, 2024, the policy will go into effect, and exemption applications known in Ukraine as reservations will be processed only through the “Diya” mobile app. Companies will also face monthly checks to ensure they meet all the updated criteria.
For those companies already holding reservations, there will be a transition period until February 28, 2025. By this deadline, all businesses will be required to reapply for employee examptions to adjust their policies to the new guidelines.
On October 6, the Administrative Cassation Court within the Supreme Court of Ukraine continued hearing case No. 990/80/25, in which the fifth President and leader of the party “European Solidarity”, Petro Poroshenko, seeks to have Presidential Decree No. 81/2025 from February 12, 2025 — enacting sanctions by the decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) — declared illegal and annulled. The plaintiff claims the document was falsified and that the sanctions are a tool of political persecution of the opposition, contrary to international norms. Government representatives deny the allegations and insist their actions were lawful. Journalists of Bukvy were present at the hearing.
Rinat Akhmetov’s Metinvest Group has completed the construction of an upgraded underground NATO Role 2 hospital in one of the hottest sectors of the frontline. This is the second stabilization point established under the Steel Front initiative in cooperation with the Medical Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The new facility, funded by Metinvest with an investment of UAH 21 million, is more secure than the first one thanks to its deeper location underground (over 6 meters) and additional fortifications.
Five armored vehicles “Kozak” have received a new mission – thanks to the support of Metinvest, they have been upgraded to full-fledged command and staff vehicles. These upgraded vehicles are now operating on the front line.
A kamikaze drone flies directly toward an armored personnel carrier. But instead of penetrating the hull, it explodes on a steel screen. The crew survives. This is the new reality for Ukrainian forces, who have received enhanced protection thanks to the Metinvest project within “Steel Front of Rinat Akhmetov”.
To commemorate the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion, “Bukvy” has compiled data on the largest donors supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Among them there are charitable foundations and businesses. The list includes, in particular, foundations that provide assistance exclusively from their own resources, without fundraising (such as SCM by Rinat Akhmetov, Epicenter, etc.).