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Ukrainians
1.
Recruitment Conditions
2.
Contract Conditions
1.
Recruitment Conditions
2.
Contract Conditions
2

Contract Conditions

The contract for military service is concluded by the commander of the military unit (or training centre), who also appoints the person to the relevant military position. The unit must notify the TRC and higher command of the appointment of a foreigner.

Foreigners may serve:

  • • under contract in rank-and-file positions,
  • • under contract in sergeant and senior non-commissioned officer (NCO) positions.

    • The contract is signed between the foreigner and the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. Its standard term is three years, as for Ukrainian citizens. However, foreigners have a key distinction: the right to terminate the contract voluntarily after six months of continuous service.
    Foreigners enjoy the same rights, benefits, and financial support as Ukrainian military personnel (except citizens of the aggressor state). Pay depends on combat assignments, position category, rank, and length of service.
    Contracts are drawn up in Ukrainian. Some units provide translations (typically in English or Spanish), but these translated versions have no legal force.
    Two copies of the contract are made: one is kept in the personnel file, and the other is retained by the military personnel. The official’s signature is stamped with the unit’s seal.

    The contract comes into force:

  • • from the date of entry into the personnel list of the unit – for those newly accepted to military service under contract,
  • • from the date of signing – for those whose previous contract expired during a special period and was extended, if they continue service under a new contract after demobilisation.

    • Foreigners who join military service under contract for the first time are assigned the rank of soldier (or sailor), regardless of any previous military rank they may have held in their country of origin.
    During the registration of foreign military personnel, the military unit forwards their documents to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) for a special security check.
    The special security check is conducted by the Security Service of Ukraine jointly with other central executive authorities. This includes a psychophysiological test with a polygraph.
    The check verifies circumstances that might prevent acceptance into service under contract, such as: legality of crossing the border, legality of residence in Ukraine, any record of administrative or criminal liability, evidence, or facts of intelligence, terrorist, or other activities on behalf of foreign states or organisations.
    In practice, the SBU may conduct the check without directly involving the foreigner. The unit sends the documents and later receives the results.
    If the foreigner has no prior military experience, they are sent to training units or military centres for specialised courses to acquire a military occupational speciality.
    The first contract is concluded:

  • • for three years in rank-and-file positions,
  • • for three to five years in sergeant and senior NCO positions, depending on the agreement of the parties.

    • A two-month probationary period is established in contracts for foreigners and stateless persons.
    In practice, not all units apply the probationary period.
    Contracts may be renewed until the maximum age for military service is reached:

  • • for rank-and-file positions – three years,
  • • for sergeant and senior NCO positions – three to five years.

    • At the request of military personnel, a new contract may be extended for one to ten years, but not beyond the statutory age limit. Service may be prolonged up to five years beyond this limit.
    If, for objective reasons, it is impossible to conclude a new contract, the previous contract remains valid until a court declares the person missing or deceased, or the circumstances preventing renewal are resolved, and the person returns to the unit. It also continues for the period necessary to assess fitness for service and decide whether to conclude a new contract.
    A contract is terminated/dissolved:

  • • on the date of expiry,
  • • on the date a new contract takes effect when transferring to another type of military service,
  • • on the date specified in the commander’s order, removing the person from the unit’s personnel list (in case of early termination or dismissal),
  • • the day after the death of the military personnel or a court’s declaration of them as missing or deceased,
  • • the day after the end of the probationary period, if the two-month trial period has not passed.

    • During mobilisation and martial law, a contract may also be terminated as follows:

    1) by decision of the unit command:

  • • upon reaching the statutory age limit for military service,
  • • for health reasons: 1) based on an MME conclusion/opinion of unfitness or temporary unfitness for military service, with re-examination after 6–12 months, 2) in case of disability (unless the person wishes to continue service),
  • • upon entry into force of a court conviction imposing imprisonment or restriction of liberty.

    • 2) by decision of the military personnel:

  • • upon reaching the statutory age limit,
  • • due to family circumstances or other valid reasons,
  • • voluntarily, but not earlier than six months of continuous service.

    • Discharge procedure

  • • notifying the personnel department or immediate commander of the intention to terminate the contract,
  • • submitting a formal report citing the specific article of the Law that provides the legal basis for termination (usually prepared with the help of translators),
  • • verification of service time and approval of the report by the unit,
  • • completing the clearance process (in practice, foreigners rarely undergo this personally),
  • • issuance of the discharge order and completion of the military ID card.
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