Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister Signs a New 24-Month Military Contract

New 24-Month Contract Signed

According to Главком: Mstyslav Banik, Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Defense, has signed a new standard contract lasting 24 months. This development follows the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers' announcement of a resolution introducing fixed-term service contracts, set to take effect on June 15, 2026. Under the updated rules, military personnel will be able to enter into contracts ranging from six to 24 months, depending on their role and experience.

Background and Career of Mstyslav Banik

Banik was appointed Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine on March 25, 2026. Prior to this role, he served as the Head of Digital Products at the Ministry of Defense, where he led the development of the Army+ and Reserve+ projects. Born in 1990 in Uzhhorod, he graduated from the Kirovohrad Institute of Commerce in 2011 with a degree in Finance, and later earned a specialist degree in Marketing/Marketing Management between 2011 and 2012. In 2024, he completed his studies at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, specializing in Public Management and Administration.

Before entering public service, Banik worked in the private sector as an entrepreneur. In 2019, he joined the Ministry of Digital Transformation, where he was responsible for launching and developing the Diia platform. In 2024, he voluntarily joined the military as part of the CODE 9.2 unit, rising from soldier to officer, establishing an FPV drone unit, and working at the staff level. Banik participated in the Kursk operation.

In his new role as Deputy Minister of Defense, he stated:

“As planned, I signed a new contract-a standard one for 24 months. I sincerely believe in what we are doing with Mykhailo Fedorov's team at the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. And, let me remind you, this is only the first stage of the transformation of the Defense Forces.”

Under the new terms, for active military personnel in combat roles, the contract will be 10 months, while for reservists in combat positions, it will be 14 months. Reservists with combat experience can sign contracts for as little as six months. For all other positions, as per the new resolution, the contract duration will be 24 months.

On June 12, Ukraine announced the launch of a large-scale transformation of its military service system. The package of decisions regarding these innovations was presented by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi, and Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

This new contracting strategy is part of a comprehensive reform of military service in Ukraine, aimed at improving efficiency and adapting to modern challenges. The introduction of clearly defined contract terms could streamline the planning and management of human resources within the army, a critical factor amid the ongoing conflict. This reform may also help attract new personnel and enhance service conditions for military members.

In light of the recent developments, it's important to understand the broader context of new military contracts with specific service durations approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. These contracts are designed to provide more flexibility and stability for military personnel, aligning with the government's efforts to enhance the effectiveness of Ukraine's defense strategy.