Contract 18-25: Soldiers Receive One-Year Deferral After Service

Soldiers aged 18 to 25 who have signed a one-year contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine can now expect a guaranteed one-year deferral from conscription after completing their service. This significant decision was announced by Ukraine's Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov during a press conference on Wednesday, April 8.

Minister Fedorov noted that the Ministry of Defense team, in collaboration with the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense, and Intelligence, has finalized the necessary resolution to implement this provision. According to him, the deferral from conscription is now a fully operational tool that works in practice.

The Minister of Defense emphasized that the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has already approved the mechanism for processing deferrals for soldiers who have signed a one-year contract with the Armed Forces and have been discharged after its completion. The deferral is effective for 12 months following discharge, during which conscription can only occur with the soldier's consent.

Fedorov also highlighted that this decision lays the groundwork for creating a modern professional army where military service is a conscious choice for citizens. He believes that such changes will improve service conditions and enhance the motivation of young people to enlist in military service.

This legislative initiative is not new, as on June 27, 2025, the government had already approved a bill that provided for a one-year deferral from mobilization for volunteers serving under the Contract 18-24 program. This reflects a continuous process of improving legislation in the field of defense and security.

On July 30, 2025, then-Minister of Defense Denys Shmyhal announced that the Cabinet of Ministers submitted a bill to the Verkhovna Rada regarding deferrals for military personnel who served under this contract. Continuing work on this issue has been an important step in reforming military service in Ukraine.

On February 11, 2026, the Verkhovna Rada voted for bill No. 13574, which amends the provision of deferrals from mobilization for military personnel who served under the Contract 18-24. This confirms that the legislative framework for supporting military personnel is continuously being improved.

On March 9, 2026, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law that establishes a one-year deferral from mobilization for those who signed the Contract 18-25 and served for 12 months. This decision aims to provide stability and support for young soldiers who have chosen the path of military service.

Thus, the innovations related to the 18-25 contracts represent an important step in the development of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as they contribute to the formation of a professional army where young people can consciously choose military service as a career.