Ukraine Sets Fixed Service Durations for Contract Soldiers

Overhaul of Ukraine's Armed Forces

According to Главком: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, alongside the Ministry of Defense, has unveiled a major reform of Ukraine’s military that introduces clearly defined contract terms and reservation policies for service members. Lawmaker Oleksiy Honcharenko disclosed these details. This initiative aims to bring structure and predictability to military service, addressing long-standing calls for clearer career pathways.

Under the proposed changes, active soldiers currently serving in combat units would sign one-year contracts exclusively. For all other military personnel and civilians, contracts would span two years or longer.

Phased Contract Rollout

The contract signing process is set to unfold in three distinct phases:

• The first phase targets soldiers in primary combat units of fighting formations at the company level and below, including mechanized, motorized infantry, assault, air assault, marine infantry, and special operations forces.
• The second phase covers personnel in combat unit subunits not included in the first phase, as well as units within the Navy, Unmanned Systems, Missile Forces and Artillery, Aviation, Air Defense Missile Forces, and Radio-Technical Troops.
• The third phase involves service members in military command bodies, logistics and support units, medical detachments, Territorial Recruitment Centers and Social Support Centers, military higher education institutions, and other entities.

Additionally, those who sign contracts of two years or longer would be granted a deferral from mobilization upon discharge. This deferral follows a formula: one month of combat duty earns three months of exemption. Ukraine also plans to introduce a new pay and allowance matrix for troops, with a baseline monthly salary for enlisted personnel starting at 30,000 hryvnias.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a law on social protection for military personnel, which grants a one-year mobilization deferral to those who signed the 'Contract 18-24' and served for 12 months.

Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Pavlo Palisa stated that clear service terms with post-contract deferrals are being prepared for all Ukrainian military personnel.

The introduction of these new contract conditions marks a pivotal step in reforming Ukraine's military structures, reflecting the need for better organization and increased troop motivation. This could enhance stability within military units and improve social protections for soldiers, a critical priority amid Ukraine’s ongoing security challenges.

In addition to the new contract durations, President Zelenskyy also announced significant increases in pay for infantry soldiers. These reforms aim to enhance the financial stability of service members, reflecting a broader commitment to improving military conditions. For more details on the salary adjustments and their implications for personnel, see our coverage on military pay enhancements.