Dismissal from service by Presidential decree will take precedence over contracts — Mykhailo Fedorov
Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov stated that the President's decree on the dismissal from the army of servicemen who have served since 2022 or earlier will take precedence over signed contracts. According to him, the process of partial dismissal will begin in late autumn 2026.
The dismissal mechanism will be based on two criteria: the total length of service since 2014 and the number of combat days.
“If you, for example, have been serving since 2022 and have a large number of combat days, then you may already be dismissed by presidential decree at the end of this year,” Fedorov said in an interview with TSN.
The process will be coordinated by the General Staff based on data about service terms and combat days. The department plans to create a calculator that will allow each serviceman to calculate the month of their dismissal.
The Defense Minister emphasized that the order and number of dismissals each month will depend on the situation at the front and possible mobilization steps by Russia. Those dismissed will have a six-month deferment from re-conscription, and each day of combat participation will add one more day to this period.
Fedorov explained that the decree will take precedence even for those who have already signed a new contract. According to him, if a serviceman signs a 24-month contract but falls under dismissal in November or December, the decree will have priority — they will be dismissed despite the signed contract.
Recall that the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine published a Resolution on introducing contracts with clear service terms. From June 15, 2026, new infantry-assault, combat, or basic contracts for military service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and other components of the Defense Forces can be concluded.
Additionally, the Defense Minister of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov announced details of the new military service contract system, which will provide a guaranteed deferment after the contract ends. Its duration will depend on the type of contract, previous length of service, and the serviceman's participation in combat operations.
The Ministry of Defense also revealed details of the new monetary provision system for servicemen and the introduction of three types of contracts.
Recall that Deputy Defense Minister Mstyslav Banik stated that officers of the AFU are not planned to be dismissed under the general demobilization model, since the officer corps is one of the key personnel resources of the army.
Moreover, servicemen who do not want to sign the new contracts proposed by the Ministry of Defense will serve until the general demobilization.
Subscribe to our Telegram channel t.me/sudua and to Google News SUD.UA, as well as to our VIBER and WhatsApp, Facebook page Facebook and on Instagram to stay informed about the most important events.
