Rights of military personnel released for service expanded in Ukraine

In Ukraine, social and service rights have been expanded for servicemen who were granted parole from serving their sentence in order to perform military service under contract.

The Ministry of Defense reported this on August 4.

The changes aim to bring the guarantees for this category of defenders closer to the rights of other servicemen. In particular, they were granted the right to an annual basic leave and the conditions for its provision were set.

Servicemen who have been taken prisoner and later released will also be able to receive the additional leave provided for by law. In addition, the list of places where they can be granted leave for treatment based on a conclusion of a military medical commission has been expanded.

Female servicemen of this category were guaranteed the right to maternity leave.

The new rules also allow the transfer of such military personnel to other units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine under certain conditions. Previously, they served only in specialized units and had more limited possibilities for reassignment.

Moreover, the list of grounds for terminating or annulling the contract and discharging from military service has been expanded. The specific procedure will be determined by legislation and regulations governing military service.

The corresponding draft law №15225 was adopted by the Verkhovna Rada on July 14. A total of 309 MPs voted in favor of the document.

The mechanism of parole from serving a sentence for military service is in effect during martial law. Such citizens sign a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine and are assigned to positions taking into account their health status, professional and psychological selection, and level of physical fitness.