The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved and submitted to the Verkhovna Rada a bill that establishes new contractual service conditions for military personnel. The document provides for the introduction of clear terms of service and an increase in financial support for the personnel.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Main provisions of the new contracts
According to the government’s initiative, soldiers, sergeants, and officers from all structures of the security and defense sector, including the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service, and other units, will be able to sign the new contract. The contract term will range from one to five years, depending on the wishes of the military personnel and the needs of the army.
An important innovation will be the provision of a 12-month deferment from mobilization for individuals who sign a contract for a term of two to five years after the contract expires. The bill also includes provisions for annual financial bonuses and additional monthly rewards for participation in combat operations.
“The contract is proposed for soldiers, sergeants, and officers of all security and defense forces: the Armed Forces, the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service, and others. The contract terms range from one to five years. There is a 12-month deferment from mobilization after the contract ends, provided it is signed for 2-5 years. Annual financial bonuses and additional monthly rewards for participation in combat operations,” wrote Shmyhal on Telegram.
Opportunities for reservists and new programs
Both current military personnel already on contract service and citizens from among reservists and mobilized individuals will be able to sign the new contract. Current contract soldiers will have the opportunity to renew their contracts under updated conditions.
The Ministry of Defense noted that the preparation of new types of contracts and the introduction of corresponding changes to legislation began back in November at the request of the president. One such initiative is the “Contract 18-24” project, which allows volunteers aged 18 to 24 to sign a one-year contract with a payment of 1 million hryvnias. Currently, mobilization in Ukraine covers individuals aged 25 to 60 years.
According to Fedor Venislavsky, a member of the parliamentary committee on national security, defense, and intelligence, about 30,000 people join the ranks of the Ukrainian military each month through mobilization and the recruitment system.
Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal expressed hope for the prompt adoption of the bill by the Verkhovna Rada so that the new contract system could be implemented as early as the first quarter of 2026.