Ignoring the summons: the CCC reminded of fines, wanted list, and criminal liability

Under martial law and general mobilization in Ukraine, conscripted men aged 25 to 60 are required to respond to calls from territorial recruitment and social support centers (TCK and SP). Ignoring a served summons entails both administrative and criminal liability.

The recruitment center noted that proper delivery of a summons — personally signed or by registered letter — is considered an official notification of the summons. From the moment of delivery, a citizen is responsible for failure to appear within the specified period.

In particular, a fine of 17,000 to 25,500 hryvnias may be imposed for violating the rules of military registration or failure to appear for a summons. In addition, in the event of systematic ignoring of summons, a person may be declared wanted.

Separately, the TCK drew attention to the so-called “combat summons.” Ignoring it is considered draft evasion during mobilization and is subject to criminal liability. In such a case, the law provides for a penalty of imprisonment for a term of three to five years.

In 2026, summonses can be served both in paper and electronic form through the state register “Oberig”. The postal message is sent to the address that the conscript indicated when updating his/her account data, or to the place of official registration.

A citizen is given three days to receive a registered letter from the CCK. At the same time, the deadline for reporting to the recruitment center depends on the place of residence: up to seven days for regional centers and up to ten for other settlements.

All facts of serving or sending summonses are recorded in the electronic system. If it is impossible to appear within the specified time, the citizen is obliged to report valid reasons for absence within three days – in particular, illness, emergency situations or death of close relatives.

Lawyers emphasize: in cases where a person did not actually receive a summons, but is accused of failure to appear, it is important to provide documentary evidence of this fact. If there is evidence, the prosecution may be canceled.