UNFOUNDED: A pregnant medic from Odesa received a summons

Kremlin media and Telegram channels continue to discredit Ukraine and claim that a pregnant medic from Odesa received a summons from the military enlistment office. As “evidence,” they add a video showing the summons in the hands of the girl.

Such messages are unfounded. The so-called “summons” does not show the woman’s name and surname, the location of the territorial center of recruitment and social support. The date and place of the shooting are also unknown.

Firstly, the video has quite poor quality. It’s impossible to see what is actually written on the so-called “summons.” The video was deliberately shot in a way that makes it impossible to verify the name of the territorial recruitment and social support center from which the summons came, as well as the woman’s name and surname. Secondly, the video does not specify the exact place and date of filming.

The Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council verified the primary source of the video – a TikTok account named “Russian German.” The page actively spread other Russian narratives as well. Therefore, this recording may also be part of Kremlin propaganda.

Although a female medic could indeed receive a mobilization summons, according to the law “On Military Duty and Military Service“, pregnancy is grounds for exemption from mobilization. If a woman receives a summons for military registration, it does not mean mobilization or immediate deployment to the front line. A spokesperson for the Ground Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Volodymyr Fitio, points out that since 2014, no women have been forcibly mobilized.

Fakes about mobilizing female medics began to spread since the Ministry of Defense order on the military registration of women took effect. From October 1, 2023, until December 31, 2026, women with medical or pharmaceutical education, such as midwives, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, etc., are to be registered for military service. The procedure for registering female medics for military service has been in place since 1992, but the system worked imperfectly, and some female medics were not included.

Mobilization of women in Ukraine is voluntary, but those who are registered for military service may be called up for military duty or engaged in tasks related to the defense of the state.