22. 10. 2026

Vehicles taken during mobilisation: a bill proposes early return to owners

On 19 October 2026, bill No. 16164 was registered in the Verkhovna Rada. It concerns vehicles and equipment taken during mobilisation for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations. The bill proposes to allow early return of such vehicles to their owners if the army no longer needs them, and to simplify deregistration of destroyed vehicles. Important: this is still a bill, not rules in force.

In short:

it is proposed to allow early return to owners of vehicles taken during mobilisation from 19 February 2014 to 31 December 2024;
return is possible if the Armed Forces of Ukraine or other military formations do not need the vehicle;
the condition is that the owner waives compensation for damage caused to the vehicle;
the owner will also be able, on application, to transfer the vehicle free of charge into the ownership of the military;
destroyed vehicles or those that cannot be restored are to be deregistered in the military unit on the basis of a single act;
the bill is being considered by the relevant committee.

Early return of vehicles to owners

Under the bill, for the period of martial law, owners may have returned to them vehicles (including watercraft) and equipment taken during mobilisation from 19 February 2014 to 31 December 2024 inclusive, if the Armed Forces of Ukraine or other military formations do not need them.

Vehicles will be returned on the basis of an order of the commander (head) of the military unit on whose register the vehicle is, in agreement with a higher-level official. The procedure is to be approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

The main condition is that the owner waives compensation for damage caused to the vehicle as a result of its use.

Free transfer to the military

The bill also provides that the owner may, by written application, transfer the vehicle or equipment free of charge into the ownership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine or other military formations.

Deregistration of destroyed vehicles

Vehicles taken during mobilisation that were destroyed, lost or damaged so that their restoration is impossible or economically unfeasible — as a result of enemy action or while performing combat tasks — are proposed to be deregistered in the military unit on the basis of an act on the circumstances of the loss. The procedure for drawing up the act will be set by the Cabinet of Ministers.

In such cases, approval by law enforcement agencies is not required, and an internal investigation may not be ordered. Vehicles that can be repaired are not covered by this rule and remain on the register.

When it may take effect

According to the bill, the law is to enter into force on the day after its publication, and its main provisions — two months later. During this time, the Cabinet of Ministers is to adopt the necessary procedures.

The bill is currently being considered by the Committee on National Security, Defence and Intelligence. To become law, it must be adopted in the first and second readings and signed. We will follow its consideration.