Ukraine has extended martial law and general mobilisation for another 90 days, until January 29, 2027, as Russia's full-scale invasion continues in its fifth year, the Kyiv Post reported via Ukrinform. On Monday, 26 October, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy signed laws No. 5029-IX on martial law and No. 5030-IX on mobilisation after they were approved by parliament the same day. Both laws take effect on October 31, when the current extension expires.

Source: Kyiv Post via Ukrinform (EuropeSays)

The Verkhovna Rada approved Bill No. 16182, approving the martial law decree, with 293 votes, while Bill No. 16183, covering mobilisation, passed with 281 in favour, according to Ukrinform. The Rada's press service also confirmed the adoption of the extensions, Visit Ukraine reported from the live broadcast of the parliamentary session. The two bills were submitted by Zelenskiy and registered in the Rada on October 26.

Source: Kyiv Post via Ukrinform; Visit Ukraine (Rada press service)

The laws approve two presidential decrees — No. 1060/2026 on extending martial law and No. 1061/2026 on extending general mobilisation — which required parliament's consent. The martial law decree points to Russia's continuing large-scale armed aggression as the reason, was issued on a proposal from the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), and amends the original decree of February 24, 2022, which first introduced martial law nationwide. Since February 2022, both measures have been renewed every three months.

Source: Kyiv Post via Ukrinform (EuropeSays)

Speaking in parliament ahead of the vote, NSDC Secretary Ihor Klymenko said the extension would help Ukraine take 'adequate measures to counter armed aggression' and would safeguard the country's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Kyiv Post reported. He said the extension also keeps in force the special powers held by state authorities, the military command, military administrations and local governments, which they need to repel the invasion.

Source: Kyiv Post via Ukrinform (EuropeSays)

The extension comes days after the government finalised an overhaul of Ukraine's worker deferment ('booking') system on October 23, effectively ending automatic exemptions from mobilisation for defence and energy companies, according to the Kyiv Post report. Under Ukrainian law, unless they qualify for a deferment for health or work reasons, men aged 25 to 60 are required to serve in the military; the new approach makes full workforce protection conditional, the report said.

Source: Kyiv Post via Ukrinform (EuropeSays)