Fedorov: Presidential decree on discharge from service will take priority over contracts

Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov stated in an interview with "TSN" that starting from the end of autumn this year, a gradual partial demobilization of military personnel who have been in the army since 2022 or earlier will commence. He emphasized that a presidential decree will have priority over any signed contracts.

The discharge mechanism will be based on two main criteria: total length of service in the army since 2014 and the number of combat days. For example, if a soldier has served since 2022 and has a large number of combat days, they may be discharged by presidential decree as early as the end of this year. Fedorov noted that they cannot release everyone at once because it would collapse the front, but this first step provides hope and clarity.

The process will be coordinated by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine using data on service time and combat days. A special calculator will be created so that each serviceman can calculate their specific month of discharge. The number of servicemen discharged each month will depend on the situation on the battlefield and possible mobilization steps by the enemy.

Discharged servicemen will receive a six-month deferment from re-conscription, and each day of direct participation in combat will add another day to this deferment period. Fedorov stressed that even those who have signed a 24-month contract will be discharged if the presidential decree applies to them, as the decree takes precedence.