New contracts for mobilized soldiers: will demobilization timelines change and what are the soldiers' concerns?

The President's Office is developing contracts for mobilized soldiers with clear service terms. According to Pavel Palisa, the Deputy Head of the President's Office, various options for conditions are being considered for soldiers who joined the army in different years.

Service with Clear Terms: What Will Change

"We are working on a contract for mobilized individuals; this is still in the development and research stage. However, the most important aspect, in my opinion, is that this contract can provide clarity on service terms for those who are mobilized and already serving, whether they joined voluntarily or not — it makes no difference, they will have defined service periods," said Pavel Palisa.

Contracts for mobilized soldiers will feature different conditions based on the year of conscription. For instance, those called up in 2022 will be able to resign after signing the contract in approximately six months, while those called in 2023 can do so after 9-10 months, and those in 2024 will have a different period with additional bonuses.

"However, it is essential to understand that this will only be possible once specific conditions are established. We cannot expose the front lines, nor can we deprive combat units of their ability to perform their tasks. In fact, a large team is currently working on creating these conditions," he concluded.

People's Deputy from "European Solidarity" Alexey Goncharenko stated that contracts for mobilized soldiers with clear service terms should be implemented immediately.

He emphasized that demobilization and clear service terms are crucial for motivating soldiers; however, currently, only promises are being heard. The Deputy noted that last year, a provision for demobilization was removed from the mobilization bill. At that time, they promised to draft a separate bill within six months, but nothing has been done to date.

"The authorities fundamentally do not wish to do this, and as time goes on, the situation with personnel and, consequently, on the front line — worsens," Goncharenko summarized.

Contracts for Mobilized Soldiers: What Do Military Personnel Think?

"Many mobilized soldiers are being coerced into signing contracts by being told that if they want to become 'officers,' they must sign. The question here is what benefits will come from signing this contract," he stated.

The soldier does not believe that military personnel will sign contracts for mobilized individuals if it is merely for the sake of a signature. He pointed out that if the goal of the initiative is to retain professional, trained, and intelligent servicemen in the army, then appropriate conditions should be created to motivate them.

"If the plan is just to serve for three years and then return to civilian life, I don’t think anyone will sign. Everyone understands that once a ceasefire is announced, they will likely be able to resign. Therefore, the question is what benefits will be provided," he explained.

In turn, former deputy and serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Igor Lutsenko believes that more details are needed to evaluate contracts for mobilized soldiers.

He advocates for clear service terms, as there is a sufficient mobilization resource in the country, with men who "could replace each other on the front for several years." This would evenly distribute the responsibility for defending Ukraine, whereas currently, the situation is the opposite, which he believes is incorrect.

According to Palisa, the discharge of soldiers from the army will be possible after the creation of "specific conditions." Lutsenko believes this implies that attention can be diverted from contracts for mobilized individuals.

"This means that they will be released whenever they decide. That is how it is now," he clarified, adding that if there were a "stable ceasefire," everyone would likely begin to be released from the army.

Igor Lutsenko noted that under the current contracts, the term of service is automatically extended due to the state of war.

Meanwhile, Blishchik pointed out that military personnel who have been in the Armed Forces for a long time understand why the authorities cannot specify clear service terms.

"We are in a state of war, the Russians are advancing with great force, they are ramping up the production of weapons and equipment. They are currently employing their drones very effectively. To release those who have been fighting since 2022 would mean that our front would collapse, and we simply would not be able to hold the country," the soldier said.

She referred to the most experienced and motivated soldiers. According to her, the state lost time when it should have been conscripting other citizens into the army so that experienced fighters could pass on their knowledge to new recruits, after which they could take deserved rest and be demobilized.

"Given that these steps were not taken because there was a long period when everyone was relying on those first volunteers who went in, dropped everything without hesitation, and took up arms. Even they did not think about whether they were formally enlisted. The state was counting on such individuals. Everyone believed that the war would end, and that is why no steps were taken during that time," she explained.

Anastasia Blishchik clarified that now everyone sees that the war is dragging on. Even though foreign partners speak of agreements and the end of the war, the soldier believes that everyone should understand that mobilization must continue. For active soldiers to be sent home, new recruits must join the army.

"The state must now do everything to encourage these individuals to enlist. Mobilization must continue because we all understand that, conditionally, in a few years, there will be a halt in hostilities, agreements will be made, but Russia will continue to build up its forces and will strike hard against our country again," she added.

Not All Soldiers Support the New Contract Idea: What Is the Reason?

UAF soldier Stanislav Bunatov, known by the call sign "Osman," believes that mobilized Ukrainians who joined the army at the beginning of the full-scale invasion will not sign any contracts.

"Our government and society have done everything possible to ensure that the remaining ideological fighters have no motivation to continue serving in the army," — said "Osman."

"Perhaps their conditions, as per existing contracts, will worsen. Hence, they may be opposed. However, we need to look closely at what is being offered, under what conditions, and what the legal justification is," said Ivan Stupak.

He noted that he does not understand how demobilization will occur, when it will happen, and under what conditions. This process cannot be instantaneous, where everyone is released at once.

"Demobilization will be approximately 6% each quarter, 7%, or no more than 10%, for officers and enlisted personnel. That is not specified yet. Military personnel are asking when it will happen, where it is. It is not in place yet," the analyst reported.

Recall that on February 12, Deputy Head of the President's Office Pavel Palisa stated that Ukraine aims to gradually abandon the mobilization process and transition to contract service. Meanwhile, "Contract 18-24" is the first stage of a larger program, according to him.