The situation regarding personnel rotation in the Armed Forces of Ukraine is becoming increasingly clear. Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has clarified how soldiers who arrived at the front since 2022 should act amidst uncertainty regarding their service terms. According to him, soldiers have the option to sign a new contract, even if they are expecting to be discharged.

24-month contract: insurance or formality?

In an interview with TSN, cited by RBC-Ukraine, Fedorov provided clear guidance for those who have heard about upcoming reforms but are unsure if they will be personally affected. The Minister proposed a simple algorithm: if a soldier doubts their demobilization, they can sign a contract for two years.

However, there is an important nuance here. Official Kyiv indicates that the Presidential Decree on demobilization takes precedence over a personal contract. "If you fall under discharge in November or December, the President's decree will take precedence. Despite the fact that you signed a contract," explained the head of the defense department. This means that the contract serves more as a temporary solution but does not guarantee exemption from demobilization if the soldier falls into the target group.

Service calculator: transparency of criteria

The main tool that will determine the fate of thousands of fighters will not be chance, but strict mathematics. The decision on who exactly to discharge will be made by the General Staff. The basis will be two key factors:

  • Number of combat missions;
  • Total length of service.

To eliminate ambiguity, the Ministry of Defense plans to introduce a special "calculator." This tool will allow each soldier to independently calculate their chances and find out in which month they might be subject to discharge. This approach aims to make the demobilization process predictable and fair.

Deadlines and new rules of the game

Since June 15, a new mechanism for concluding service contracts has come into force. Citizens can now choose from three types of contracts, each with clearly defined timeframes. This is part of a broader strategy previously announced by the department: by the end of 2026, a phased discharge of veterans who have been in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine since 2014 and 2022 is planned.

These steps are the implementation of a directive from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who back in early May announced the preparation of a mechanism for the gradual rotation of mobilized personnel. Strengthening the contract system is intended to ensure army stability, allowing exhausted fighters to be discharged according to established criteria and replaced by new forces.