Ukraine introduces fixed-term military contracts as first army reform stage begins
Ukraine introduced three types of fixed-term military contracts on 15 June 2026, marking the first stage of a new army reform. Around 8,600 civilians and service members signed under the initial arrangement, while some service members questioned the contracts' fairness and whether discharge and deferment will be delivered as promised.
Key points
- Three fixed-term contracts took effect on 15 June 2026: infantry and assault, combat, and base.
- Infantry and assault contracts last 6–14 months; combat and base contracts last 24 months.
- Infantry and assault terms are 6 months for demobilized personnel, 10 months for serving soldiers, and 14 months for recruits.
- Around 8,600 Ukrainians, including civilians and service members, signed the contracts introduced in summer 2026.
- Pay rose from 20,000 to 30,000 hryvnias for support personnel, 50,000 to 150,000 for brigade commanders, 92,000 to 230,000 for corps commanders, and about 120,000 to 300,000–460,000 for infantry and assault troops.
- Service members criticized the contracts as unfair and weighted toward recruits, and doubted that discharge and deferment would be guaranteed.
- The Defence Ministry is analysing feedback to decide which experimental provisions to include in a future army reform bill.
Why it matters
Fixed-term contracts are a central element of Ukraine's army reform, establishing defined service periods for different military roles. Initial uptake was relatively limited compared with the reported strength of the Ukrainian army, and some service members doubt that the promised discharge and deferment will be delivered. The contract structure and military feedback are expected to shape a future legislative proposal, while the changes substantially raise or standardize pay across several military and support categories.
What happened
The first stage of Ukraine's army reform began in mid-June 2026. An experimental government resolution introduced three fixed-term contracts on 15 June: infantry and assault contracts for infantrymen and assault troops, combat contracts for drone pilots, operators of ground robotic complexes and artillerymen, and base contracts for support personnel.
Around 8,600 civilians and service members signed the new contracts by the time of reporting. The Defence Ministry said personnel who signed would receive the benefits provided for, including a guaranteed deferment from army service of more than six months. The length of each soldier's deferment is calculated individually based on length of service and frequency of carrying out combat tasks.
The ministry is analysing service members' feedback on the motivation contracts and will use it to determine which provisions of the experimental resolution to include in a future army reform bill. It is also developing a new contract system under which personnel planning long-term service could sign longer contracts with a package of benefits. Meanwhile, a phased release of previously mobilized military personnel announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had not moved beyond announcements and forecasts.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian reporting focuses on the initial adoption of the contracts, their differing terms and eligible personnel, and the Defence Ministry's effort to incorporate service-member feedback into a future legislative proposal. Coverage also highlights substantial pay changes, concerns about fairness and enforceability, and the limited scope of the previously announced release process for mobilized personnel.
Where reporting differs
Some service members criticized the new contracts as unfair and weighted toward recruits, and also expressed distrust that the contracts would guarantee discharge and deferment after service.
Background
The first stage of the army reform began in mid-June 2026, with fixed terms running from six to 14 months for infantry and assault contracts and 24 months for combat and base contracts. Combat contracts cover drone pilots, operators of ground robotic complexes and artillerymen, while base contracts cover support personnel. The Defence Ministry is developing longer contracts with a package of benefits for personnel planning long-term service. A previously announced phased release of mobilized service members had not progressed beyond announcements and forecasts at the time of reporting.