Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense is set to introduce new service contracts for military personnel, applicable to officers, soldiers, and sergeants whose contracts are active until the end of martial law. This announcement was made by Deputy Minister of Defense Mykola Banik during a recent broadcast.
Banik revealed that he himself signed a new contract in March 2025, which extends until the announcement of demobilization, effectively making it a permanent contract for many in the armed forces. He noted that the new contracts come in three forms as part of a broader transformation of the Defense Forces.
On June 17, Banik confirmed that he signed a two-year basic contract, highlighting that previously, the shortest contract duration in the army was three years. The new options include contracts lasting 10 months or 24 months, which can replace existing agreements. This flexibility allows service members to opt for shorter terms even if they had just signed a longer contract.
“All these new contracts can be signed instead of existing ones,” Banik stated. “If a service member signed a contract until demobilization yesterday, they can sign for 10 or 24 months today.”
He emphasized that the same rules for deferments apply to all contracts, regardless of rank. Banik explained that upon completion of these contracts, service members are guaranteed deferments. For infantry assault contracts, the basic deferment is six months, with additional months earned for time spent in combat roles.
“For every month served in combat, three months of deferment are accrued,” he elaborated. “This means if someone serves four months in combat, they earn an additional year of deferment.”
Additional deferment terms are available for those who have served since 2014. Banik clarified that two-year contracts, whether combat or basic, also come with a six-month deferment plus a “day-for-day” policy, where each day spent on the front lines equates to a day of deferment.
Moreover, he mentioned that there are new provisions regarding deferments for current contract holders. Under the previous rules, once a contract ended, service members would become liable for military service immediately. This has now changed, allowing for a six-month deferment plus any accrued combat days.
On June 12, Prime Minister Yuliya Svyrydenko announced that the Ministry of Defense is preparing a reform aimed at establishing clearer service terms and increasing military pay. This reform is expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks.
On the same day, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a systematic transformation of the Armed Forces, detailing new contract options for service members. Following this announcement, the Ministry of Defense provided further details on the transformation and the financial compensation for military personnel.
In conjunction with these reforms, the Ministry of Defense has indicated plans to increase payments for Defense Forces personnel, with Banik stating that this will be funded through the ministry’s own budget.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense is rolling out new service contracts for military personnel, allowing for shorter terms and guaranteed deferments. This initiative is part of a broader reform aimed at enhancing military service conditions and compensation.