The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has announced a new policy regarding military service contracts, specifically addressing service members with existing three-year agreements. Mstyslav Banik, Deputy Minister of Defense, disclosed the details during a press briefing with journalists.
Banik explained that personnel whose contracts are nearing expiration will be eligible for a six-month extension. “For example, if a soldier’s contract ends tomorrow, they will be able to receive this six-month deferral upon the contract’s conclusion,” he stated.
He emphasized that these service members will not be classified as conscripts immediately after their contracts expire.
This announcement aligns with previous comments from Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who indicated that a new military service contract system is being implemented in Ukraine. Under this system, the length of guaranteed deferrals will depend on factors such as combat experience and years of service.
The core principle of the new system is to ensure fair consideration of a service member’s career path. The longer the duration of service, the greater the guaranteed deferral period following the contract’s end.
A basic guaranteed deferral of six months will apply to all types of contracts. Additional time will be calculated individually, taking into account the specifics of each contract, combat experience, and time served in the military.
For instance, a soldier who signs a 14-month infantry assault contract and spends four months in combat positions would receive a total of 18 months of deferral—12 months based on their combat service, in addition to the six-month base guarantee.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has implemented a new policy allowing service members with three-year contracts to receive a six-month extension upon expiration. This initiative aims to provide fair consideration for service duration and combat experience, establishing a structured deferral system based on individual circumstances.