Official Statement from the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Confirming That the Term “Draft Dodger” Has No Legal Definition or Status in Ukrainian Law

This official response from the Legal Department of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine was issued following a public inquiry requesting clarification on the use of the term “ukhyliant” (translated as “draft dodger” or “evader”) — a word widely used in Ukrainian media and public discourse to stigmatize citizens allegedly avoiding mobilization.

The purpose of the inquiry was to determine whether this term has any official or legal definition in Ukrainian legislation and whether its usage in public communication by state officials or media outlets has any lawful basis.

In its official reply, the Ministry of Defense explicitly confirmed that the term “ukhyliant” is absent from Ukrainian legislation and is not used by the Ministry in any official documents or normative acts.

The letter also clarifies that such terminology does not fall under the scope of “public information” as defined by law, since it has no legal foundation or codified meaning within the Ukrainian legal system. Therefore, its use in public rhetoric, including by government representatives or media, has no legal validity and carries no formal definition under Ukrainian law.

This response serves as an official acknowledgment that the label “draft dodger” is a non‑legal, informal expression and its use to identify or shame citizens lacks any normative or legislative support in Ukraine.