Zelensky signs three military laws: contract 60, salaries for instructors, and training of medical students
30 July 2025 08:19
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed three military laws: on the possibility of serving under contract after the age of 60, on additional remuneration for military instructors, and on compulsory military training for students of medical and pharmaceutical specialties. The relevant bills were sent to the President for signature on July 17 and returned to the Rada on July 29, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
Draft law No. 13229 provides for the possibility of enrolling people over 60 years of age in military service under a contract during martial law with the consent of the military unit commander. It is mandatory to recognize fitness for service by a military medical commission. Appointment to officer positions requires additional approval of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The contract term is one year, with the possibility of extension.
The procedure for approving candidates aged 60 and over for contract service and the list of required documents is determined by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine or another authorized military body. After enlistment, such persons are subject to a two-month probationary period. If during this period it is found that the serviceman does not meet the requirements of service, the contract is terminated early and the person is dismissed.
There is no age limit for this category of service. During martial law, the contract is concluded for one year, with the possibility of further annual extension. In case of cancellation or termination of martial law, such contracts are automatically terminated and servicemen are dismissed in accordance with the law.
Clause 3, part 5, Article 26, which regulates the grounds for termination or cancellation of a contract, will be supplemented by clauses under which a contract concluded with a serviceman60 will be terminated or cancelled:
- in connection with the recognition of a serviceman as having failed the test;
- due to service incompetence.
Additional remuneration for instructors at universities
Law No. 13320 provides for a monthly additional remuneration for instructors at universities.
Military personnel who work as instructors in military training units receive an additional monthly remuneration of 15 to 30 thousand hryvnias. At the same time, instructors in higher military educational institutions do not receive such an allowance, although they also train cadets, mobilized officers, sergeants and soldiers with higher education.
The document aims to equalize the conditions of remuneration for all military personnel who prepare others for service, regardless of whether they work in training units or in military universities.
The changes are aimed at expanding the list of positions eligible for a monthly allowance of 15 to 30 thousand hryvnias. The payments will be made to managers and instructors at training centers, units and higher military educational institutions. Their amount will depend on the level of training and qualifications, and the Cabinet of Ministers will set the procedure for calculating and the exact amounts.
Mandatory military training for students of medical and pharmaceutical specialties
The third law, No. 13276, introduces compulsory military training for students of medical and pharmaceutical specialties who are citizens of Ukraine, fit for military service for health reasons and have passed a professional and psychological selection.
The law provides for the resumption of military training departments or the creation of new ones in medical universities.
Currently, such training is voluntary and covers only about 5% of medical and pharmacy students. It is planned to be made mandatory due to the lack of reserve officers in the medical service who can be called upon during martial law.
The laws will come into force on the day following the day of publication, but the one on student training will come into force on January 1, 2026.
