FT: Ukrainian military personnel don’t believe in the Defense Ministry’s contract reform

Ukrainian servicemembers doubt the effectiveness of the contracts introduced by the Ministry of Defense and the government’s ability to fulfill its promises.

This was reported by the Financial Times, citing statements from members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

According to the military personnel, the reform “has done little for those who have been serving for years.” The “deferral” proposed by the Defense Ministry, servicemembers say, turned out to be far from what many had originally expected.

The publication also notes that military personnel have questioned the Ukrainian government’s ability to keep its promises about clear service terms. Ukrainian officials and analysts, for their part, emphasize that even if a significant number of servicemembers sign new contracts, this will not make it possible to abandon mandatory mobilization.

Earlier, the majority of military personnel, in comments to the outlet Ukrainska Pravda, said they did not intend to sign new contracts and would serve until demobilization. Servicemembers are expressing widespread outrage that the main target audience of the reform is civilians: they are being offered clear service terms and high salaries to attract them into the army.

On June 15, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense introduced contracts with defined service terms. The program is designed for two years and provides for the possibility of signing contracts for periods ranging from 6 to 24 months for servicemembers in combat positions. The specific conditions vary depending on the category: for active servicemembers — 10 months; for citizens in the reserve — two years and two months; for reserve citizens with combat experience — from six months; for all other positions — two years.