Cabinet convenes meeting on provision and terms of service for military personnel

On the eve of the Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Government conducted a thematic session dedicated to the provision and terms of service of our defenders. This was announced by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.

In particular, the Government adopted the following key decisions:

1) Launch of a new contract service system.

The Government approved a bill that provides for an expanded incentive package: payments for signing and renewing contracts, monthly allowances, and combat allowances. The new conditions apply to all defence forces: the Armed Forces, the National Guard, the State Border Service, and others.

Soldiers, sergeants and officers will be offered contracts with clear terms — 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 years or more, with a guaranteed 12-month deferral after completing two years of contract service.

"This is a step towards building a professional, motivated and sustainable army. We are creating a system that gives military personnel fair conditions of service and time to recover after completing their contract," emphasised Yulia Svyrydenko.

2) Expanding opportunities for foreigners and stateless persons to serve in the Ukrainian army.

"We are introducing officer contracts for them and opening up the opportunity to serve in the State Special Transport Service. We regulate the procedures for concluding and extending contracts, conferring military ranks and grounds for dismissal," said the Head of Government.

Recruitment centres shall receive a clear algorithm for special checks on foreigners who want to serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Equal conditions are to be established for women and men serving under contract as foreigners.

3) Strengthening military training in higher education.

For students of medical and pharmaceutical specialities, reserve officer training will become a mandatory part of their education. This will make it possible to form a personnel reserve of specialists who are critically important for the front line and the military medical system.

The list of higher education institutions that will provide such training should be updated, and professional standards — requirements for the knowledge, skills, and competencies of future reserve officers — should be clarified.

The training programmes will be detailed and strengthened: clear requirements for content, schedule and forms of training, as well as a 20% increase in training time.

Currently, 33 departments of Ukrainian universities train reserve officers.

‘Thanks to the adopted changes, we will ensure higher quality training and strengthen the defence potential of the state,’ Yulia Svyrydenko emphasised.

4) Improving the scientific base for the Ukrainian army.

The Prime Minister announced the creation of a Research Centre for the Armed Forces Support. This institution will conduct a wide range of research of a search, theoretical and experimental nature. Its findings will help to adapt more quickly to the dynamic conditions of war, modernise the army in peacetime, generalise and draw on the experience of other countries, and update doctrines at the strategic and operational levels.

"The Research and Development Centre of the Armed Forces Support will ensure the constant preparedness of the Ukrainian army for effective defence," the Head of Government emphasised.