Ukraine's parliament is drafting a bill on the establishment of a military police

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is currently working on a bill for the creation of a military police force, as reported by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence.

The Main Directorate of Military Justice of the Ministry of Defence is actively involved in the project's development. Moreover, a working group within the parliamentary committee on law enforcement activities is focused on devising an optimal model for the future military justice system, of which the military police will be a key component.

The Ministry emphasises that the military police will operate as a military unit with law enforcement functions and will be integrated into the MoD's structure. The body will be created on the basis of the Ukrainian Military Law-Enforcement Service.

The duties of these law enforcement officers will encompass:

• Conducting law enforcement activities to prevent, detect, and halt military crimes in line with the norms of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine and established military regulations;
• Carrying out investigative activities;
• Implementing special preventive measures within the Armed Forces and the Special Service for Transport Security;
• Upholding order and military discipline in both the Armed Forces and the Special Service for Transport Security;
• Safeguarding the rights of military personnel;
• Protecting state assets;
• Administering punishments.

Background. Since the start of 2023, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau has transferred over 660 million UAH to support army requirements, which includes both confiscated and voluntarily donated funds and assets, along with bail amounts.