By End of 2026, Defense Ministry Plans to Discharge Long-Serving Troops

Military Personnel Discharge Plan in Ukraine

According to Главком: The Ukrainian Defense Ministry has announced a phased discharge of service members with the longest tenure, set to conclude by the end of 2026. This initiative is part of a broader military service reform launched on June 12. The discharges will target those who have been in the armed forces since 2014 and 2022, with priority given to individuals who have accumulated the most years of service and time spent in combat roles.

Key Reform Highlights

The reform includes:

• new contracts;
• significant pay increases;
• simplified transfers between units;
• staggered release of troops who have been on the front lines the longest.

The package of measures was presented by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi, and Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. The maximum salary for military personnel will be 460,000 hryvnias, with the highest amounts going to infantry soldiers on the front line.

These changes aim to improve Ukraine's military service system and provide greater social support for service members.

The military service reform is a crucial step given Ukraine's current security situation, as it seeks not only to boost troop motivation but also to enhance their service conditions. Yulia Svyrydenko

Bringing in new contract soldiers and discharging long-serving troops could help refresh the composition of the Armed Forces, which is vital as the country continues to defend its territory from external threats.

As the Ukrainian Defense Ministry implements its phased discharge plan, it is essential to consider the broader context of military recruitment reform. Recent statements from Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko outline the necessary conditions for enhancing recruitment processes, which are crucial in adapting to current security challenges. For a deeper understanding of these reforms and their implications for the armed forces, visit the outlined conditions for military recruitment.