The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved a bill that introduces a new system of contract service for all units of the country’s security and defense forces. The document establishes clear terms of service, financial incentives and a guaranteed rest period after the contract ends. This was reported by the Ministry of Defense.
The bill provides for the conclusion of contracts for soldiers, sergeants and officers for a period of one to five years. One of the key innovations is a guaranteed postponement of mobilization: servicemen who have signed a contract for a period of two to five years will receive twelve months of rest for recovery after its completion.
The new system applies to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, the State Border Service and other relevant units.
A service contract can be concluded by citizens in reserve, reservists, mobilized servicemen, as well as current contract workers, who will have the opportunity to renegotiate the agreement on new terms.
As for financial motivation, the government has introduced an expanded package of incentives. It provides for payments for concluding and extending a contract, annual financial bonuses, as well as monthly allowances and combat payments.
Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal announced that the new contract system will come into effect in the first quarter of 2026.
The draft law also opens up the opportunity for foreigners and stateless persons to hold officer positions under a contract, with equal rights for men and women. Service in the State Special Transport Service is also allowed, and recruiting centers receive a clear algorithm for conducting a special check of foreign volunteers.
For students of medical and pharmaceutical specialties, military training of reserve officers will become mandatory, and the amount of training time for such training will be increased by twenty percent.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko stated that in addition to personnel changes, the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to create the Scientific and Research Center of the Armed Forces Support Forces, which will conduct research to modernize the army and update military doctrines.
