A new legislative act has come into force in Ukraine, significantly expanding social guarantees for military personnel who were released on parole to serve under contract. This was reported by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. The document aims to eliminate injustice towards those who have proven their loyalty to the country on the front lines.
From 10 days to a full vacation
Previously, this category of defenders had extremely limited rights: they could only count on medical treatment and short leaves for family reasons lasting up to 10 days. The situation is changing radically. Now, soldiers are granted the right to an annual main leave of 15 days.
According to the new rules, leave is granted at the commander's discretion, but exclusively at the request of the serviceman himself. The document provides for the possibility of splitting the leave into parts, with the main part being at least 10 days. An important condition is that leave is granted if no more than 30% of the personnel are simultaneously absent from the unit.
During this period, the serviceman retains their salary, and a health recovery allowance is also paid. The time spent traveling (up to 2 days one way) is not counted towards the leave period.
Special conditions for POWs and women
The law introduces additional support measures for those who have been through captivity. After release, such soldiers are granted the right to 90 days of leave without the right to split it into parts, with full payment retention. For female defenders, maternity leave is provided, and the procedure for paying medical leave will be determined by the Ministry of Defense.
Mechanism for transfer to other units
Before the adoption of the law, former convicts could serve exclusively in specialized units. The new document creates a clear mechanism for their transfer to other units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for the first time. To do this, one must serve in a specialized unit for at least one year and have administrative supervision lifted.
An exception has been made for those who have been wounded or fallen ill. In such cases, a serviceman may be transferred to support units, Territorial Recruitment and Mobilization Centers (TRMC), educational institutions, as well as communications or logistics units, regardless of the length of service — provided there is a corresponding conclusion from the military-medical commission (MMC).
Conditions for dismissal and entry into force
The bill also expands the list of grounds for dismissal from service if the serviceman does not wish to extend their contract. Two new grounds have been added to the previously valid reasons. The corresponding law has already been signed by the President of Ukraine, and the document enters into force on the day following its official publication.
Recall that previously, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine expanded the list of positions for which military personnel can be appointed under infantry-storming contracts, as well as clarified the possibility of signing a new motivational contract before the current one expires.
