Overview
- The order, effective immediately, sends contract reservists to special training centers in 2026 to prepare for guarding designated sites.
- The government must approve the list of critical facilities requiring protection, and the Defense Ministry will assign the military units responsible.
- Military officials stress reservists remain civilians rather than active-duty troops and will receive benefits comparable to service members during training.
- The General Staff says reservists will serve in their home regions to protect energy and transport installations while keeping their civilian jobs.
- News reports cite early regional recruitment and link the policy to increased Ukrainian drone strikes on military targets and energy infrastructure.