Under current regulations in Ukraine, authorised representatives of the TCC and the Joint Investigation Team, as well as police officers, are already permitted to check military registration documents, whilst the power to carry out administrative detention in such cases lies with the police. The additional requirements proposed by draft laws No. 15459 and No. 16139 are, as of 21 October 2026, still being considered by parliamentary committees.
Briefly about the main points
- Documents may be checked by the TCC, the police, and, in certain places, the State Border Guard Service.
- Administrative detention in cases relating to military registration is carried out by the police.
- The maximum duration of administrative detention is three hours.
- The current procedure already provides for the photographic and video recording of document checks.
- Bills Nos. 15459 and 16139 have not yet come into force.
Who is authorised to check military registration documents?
Procedure approved Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 560, … stipulates that, at one’s place of residence, work or study, in public places, buildings, areas where large numbers of people gather, and at checkpoints, military registration documents may be checked by authorised representatives of the Territorial Military Commissariat and the Special Forces, or by police officers. In practice, these rules often apply to men under the age of 60 during martial law; however, the regulations govern the obligations of conscripts, those liable for military service and reservists.
In the border zone, the controlled border area and at border crossing points, such checks are carried out by representatives of the State Border Guard Service. During the check, an authorised representative of the TCC must state their surname, first name, patronymic and position, and must also produce their official identification and documents confirming their authority.
Document checks and detention are different procedures
Article 262 The Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offences assigns the power to carry out administrative detention for breaches of military registration rules or mobilisation legislation to the National Police. Order No. 560 also stipulates that, within the notification team, administrative detention and escorting are to be carried out by a police officer in specified cases.
Representatives TCC may work alongside the police and take steps to apprehend and bring in suspects in conjunction with them. At the same time, they do not replace police officers in the process of administrative detention or in the completion of the relevant paperwork.
Administrative detention is a measure designed to ensure the proper conduct of proceedings in cases of administrative offences, rather than a separate mechanism for conscription. Refusal to travel to the Territorial Recruitment Centre does not negate the requirements regarding lawful grounds, the presence of an authorised police officer and the procedural formalities for detention.
Time, minutes and video recording
As a general rule under Article 263 of the Code of Administrative Offences Administrative detention may last for no more than three hours. The Code provides for specific exceptions for certain categories of offences.
Article 261 of the Code of Administrative Offences requires a report to be drawn up on the administrative detention. This report must specify, in particular, the time and grounds for the detention; the law also provides for the immediate notification of relatives regarding the whereabouts of the detained person and for the free secondary legal aid centres to be informed in accordance with the established procedure.
Paragraph 52 of Order No. 560 requires a police officer or an authorised representative of the TCC to take photographs and video recording the presentation and verification of a military registration document together with a document proving one’s identity. An exception is made for persons who are registered for military service with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) or the intelligence services.
What are the current rules on filming?
Ministry of the Interior Instruction No. 1026 stipulates that a police officer must switch on their body-worn camera at the start of their duties or a special police operation and record continuously. Exceptions apply to certain situations of a private nature, such as breaks for meals or visits to the toilet.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the mandatory use of body-worn cameras by representatives of the Territorial Recruitment Centres and Specialised Units working in notification teams came into effect on 1 September 2025. The Ministry also stated that video recording would be carried out whilst checking documents or serving summonses.
What the draft bills propose to change
Bill No. 15459 was registered on 31 July 2026. It proposes additional requirements for the video recording of actions carried out by authorised representatives of the TCC, in particular the recording of the transport of citizens. This provision is a parliamentary proposal, not a current legal provision.
Bill No. 16139, registered on 12 October 2026, concerns the provisions of the Law «On the National Police» relating to the administrative detention and transfer of citizens to temporary detention centres and police stations. Its stated aim is to bring the relevant provision into line with the Constitution.
As at 21 October 2026, both documents were being considered by committees of the Verkhovna Rada. Consequently, the current regulations already set out the procedure for checking documents, video recording and the police procedure for making arrests, whilst additional rules remain at the legislative consideration stage.
