New contracts with higher salaries, dismissal from service, and a guaranteed deferral of 6 months have been officially introduced in the Armed Forces of Ukraine since June 2026. This is a new pilot project to introduce updated contract types with clearly defined terms of service and a guaranteed deferral after dismissal.
The relevant Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 768 of June 12, 2026, which established the basic types of contracts with significant cash benefits and additional allowances for capturing and destroying equipment + for the transformation of the army, offers the defender a clear time frame for staying in the army and an expanded package of deferments upon release depending on the days on the front line.
Three types of contracts: for whom and for how long
As part of the new army reform, three key categories of contracts have been introduced:
- infantry assault contract
- combat contract
- basic counter
The main difference between them is specialization and terms of service, which now range from 6 to 24 months .
The distribution of service life is as follows:
- Combat positions for active military personnel: with a clear contract term of 10 months .
- Combat positions for citizens from the reserve (regular conscripts): the contract is concluded for 14 months to participate in protecting the security and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
- Combat positions for veterans with experience: reserve citizens who already have combat experience can sign a contract for a period of 6 months or more .
- Other positions (basic contract): for all other specialties not directly related to combat operations, the term of service is 24 months , i.e. exactly 2 years of service and guaranteed dismissal with the right to postponement for a clearly defined period.
This pilot project will run for two years, until June 2028. If the project is successful, it may be extended or modified.
Guaranteed release and deferment of 6 months
One of the most important innovations is the guaranteed release from military service after the end of the contract . In addition, the state is introducing a “rest” system that depends on the intensity of service. After the end of the contract, all defenders receive a basic deferment from mobilization for 6 months .
However, the period of this deferral can be significantly extended:
- For every 30 days of participation in hostilities, 1 to 3 months of deferment is added (depending on the type of contract).
- For 10-month contracts, an additional +6 months of deferment is provided for each year of service since the beginning of martial law.
- Previous experience is also taken into account: for each year of service, 1 month of deferment is added before the start of a full-scale invasion.
Financial motivation and co-payments
The new model provides for a significant increase in payments for performing the most dangerous tasks on the front line and related to offensive operations.
Special bonuses for assault actions have been introduced : 20,000 hryvnias per day of work in the depths of one’s own defense and 40,000 hryvnias per day of assaulting enemy positions. To avoid bureaucratic problems with proving one’s own participation in battles, a separate and independent calculation system will be put into operation.
Read also: New form of contract for foreigners with increased payments under Resolution No. 768 of 06/12/2026
The general payout structure includes:
- Up to 100,000 hryvnias is the basic payment for the first echelon.
- 170,000 hryvnias — for service at a platoon stronghold.
- Additional rewards for trophies and successes: 100,000 hryvnias for capturing an enemy and 15,000 hryvnias for destroying enemy manpower.
- For rear positions that ensure the vital activity of units, the minimum payment is 30,000 hryvnias .
The maximum monthly amount of payments for a serviceman can reach 460,000 hryvnias .
How to conclude a new contract
For the convenience of those liable for military service, the Ministry of Defense has launched a simplified application submission mechanism. From now on, you can submit a report for concluding a new contract through the ” Army+ “ application . A special hotline has also been launched at 1519 , where consultations on the new service model are provided. More detailed information can be found on the specialized portal army.gov.ua
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