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Reforming the system of military governance in Ukraine: the role of military administrations

Slovo of the National School of Judges of Ukraine. №1(54) 2026. P.61-71

ISSN: 2707-6849   

UDC351.74

DOI https://doi.org/10.37566/2707-6849-2026-1(54)-6

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Oleksandr BABARYTSKYI,

Doctor of Philosophy in Economics, Deputy Head of the Institute for Educational and Scientific Work – Head of the Academic Department of the Military Law Institute of Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University, Colonel

ORCID ID:http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1690-1837

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Serhiі IVASHCHENKO,
Associate Professor of the Department of National Security and Law Work of Military Law Institute of the Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University

ORCID ID:http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6846-7422

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Reforming the system of military governance in Ukraine: the role of military administrations


      Abstract 

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the administrative and legal status of military administrations as subjects of public authority operating under martial law in Ukraine. It examines the constitutional and legal foundations of their functioning, legal nature, key features, competence, procedure of establishment, and organizational structure. Particular attention is paid to the interaction of military administrations with other public authorities, including executive bodies, local self-government bodies, law enforcement agencies, and military command.

The study analyzes the scope of competence of military administrations, which covers maintaining public order and security, restoring critical infrastructure, organizing social services, coordinating humanitarian assistance, managing communal property, and regulating certain economic activities. Problematic issues of legal regulation are identified, including the insufficient definition of specific powers, the lack of clear mechanisms for interaction with local self-government bodies after the restoration of their activities, issues of accountability and control, as well as challenges related to transparency and staffing.

The article outlines prospects for the development of the institution of military administrations in the context of Ukraine's post-war reconstruction, emphasizing the need to improve the legislative framework, develop unified standards of activity, establish an effective personnel training system, and create clear mechanisms for transferring powers to restored local self-government bodies. The role of military administrations in ensuring a gradual transition from military to civilian governance, restoring democratic institutions, and supporting the development of civil society is substantiated. It is concluded that military administrations represent a special, temporary, hybrid civil-military form of public authority with specific competence and a distinct procedure of formation and subordination, making them a crucial instrument of public administration under martial law and during post-war recovery.

Keywords: military administrations, martial law, public authority, administrative and legal status, competence, interaction of authorities, post-war reconstruction, Ukraine.

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SuggestedCitation: Babarytskyi O., Ivashchenko S. (2026) Reforming the system of military governance in Ukraine: the role of military administrations. Slovo National School of Judges of Ukraine, 1 (54), 61–71. https://doi.org/10.37566/2707-6849-2026-1(54)-6

 

Date of first submission of the article to the publication: 27.03.2026

Date of acceptance of the article for publication after review: 13.04.2026

Date of publication (publication): 22.04.2026