New Contracts Offer Ukrainian Troops Earlier Exit

Ukrainian soldiers who choose not to sign new contracts offered by the Ministry of Defense will continue serving until a general demobilization is announced, according to Deputy Defense Minister Mstislav Banik.

Speaking to Ukrayinska Pravda, Banik said soldiers who do not sign a new contract will receive the same pay as those who do. The main difference will be the length of service.

Soldiers who sign a contract will be eligible to leave the military about 10 months earlier once they have fulfilled the required conditions. They will also receive a deferment from future mobilization. Those who decline to sign will remain in the armed forces until a general demobilization is declared.

The Ministry of Defense began accepting applications for new contracts on 15 June. The options include basic, combat and infantry assault contracts.

Last week, the ministry also announced that, on the orders of President Volodymyr Zelensky, the gradual discharge of soldiers who have served continuously since 2014 or since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 should begin by the end of the year.

Priority is expected to be given to service members with the longest periods of military service and those who have spent the most time in combat zones.

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