Martial law and the exit ban on men in Ukraine
воєнний стан в Україні · also Martial law, воєнний стан, Exit ban
Ukraine has been under martial law since February 24, 2022, after Russia's full-scale invasion; men aged 18–60 are generally barred from leaving, though men aged 18–22 may leave since August 2025.
On February 24, 2022, the day of Russia's full-scale invasion, Zelensky declared martial law and a general mobilization, which parliament promptly approved. Martial law has since been extended in 90-day increments, voted on quarterly by parliament and signed by the president since mid-2024. Under martial law, men aged 18 to 60 are generally barred from leaving the country.
According to LB.ua on August 29, 2025, the government issued a resolution allowing men under 22 to leave, saying it would help young people "keep their connection with Ukraine" and give them wider opportunities to study and work; they must carry a passport and a military registration document. Previously only boys under 18 could cross the border freely.
Departures rose noticeably afterwards. LIGA.net, citing The Telegraph and Polish border data, said about 99,000 men aged 18–22 left in two months; The Kyiv Independent reported that weekly registrations of Ukrainian men in that age group in Germany rose from about 100 to nearly 1,000, and German Chancellor Merz asked Zelensky in November 2025 to reduce the outflow.
Sources
- Martial law in Ukraine (Wikipedia (English), accessed 2026-10-24)
- Leaving the country under 22: why the decision raises many concerns (LB.ua, accessed 2026-10-24)
- Almost 100,000 men aged 18–22 left Ukraine in two months (LIGA.net, accessed 2026-10-24)
- Merz asks Zelensky to reduce outflow of young Ukrainian men to Germany (The Kyiv Independent, accessed 2026-10-24)
In our stories
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Last updated 2026-10-24 · Suggest a correction