18-year-old Ukrainian women are not required to show "Reserve+" to seek protection in the EU
The check applies only to new applicants with military status
Information that 18-year-old Ukrainian women are allegedly required to present the “Reserve+” app to obtain temporary protection in EU countries is manipulative. This was stated by the Center for Countering Disinformation under the NSDC (CCD).
The CCD explained that the decision of the EU Council provides for checking military status only for a certain category of applicants. It concerns new applicants for temporary protection after 31 July 2026, who already have a military obligation under Ukrainian law.
The requirement is not gender-specific: it can apply to both men and women who have the relevant military registration status.
The Center for Countering Disinformation emphasized that this provision does not automatically apply to all 18-year-old Ukrainian women. In particular, it does not concern civilian women, students, and other women who do not have a military obligation.
Thus, the claim that all 18-year-old Ukrainian women must show “Reserve+” to receive temporary protection in the EU distorts the meaning of the decision.
The CCD stated that Russian propaganda is turning a provision intended for a specific category of applicants into an alleged general requirement for all Ukrainian women of that age.
