Demobilization of Ukrainian soldiers begins in April, with plans outlined through May
Demobilization of soldiers serving in the army in Ukraine began on April 2. This development was reported by the Ukrinform agency, citing official briefings and military sources.
According to journalists, personnel who were called to duty before February 2022 will be discharged, while those who have signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine are exempt from demobilization. The publication was unable to confirm the exact number of troops slated for release. The information corridor around the process remains fluid, with varying estimates circulating in official and informal channels (Source: Ukrinform).
Before the official announcement, Deputy of the Verkhovna Rada Alexey Goncharenko suggested that the demobilization would begin around April 2 and extend to May 31 across different military units. He noted that under the plan, personnel from several army units would be moved to the reserves as part of a broader realignment of forces during the spring period (Source: Verkhovna Rada records).
Ukrainian Telegram channels circulated articles about the start of demobilization and published related videos, contributing to a steady stream of on-the-ground updates and civilian commentary about how units are handling transfers and reserves status.
On March 7, President Vladimir Zelensky signed a discharge decree. The document states that in April and May the Armed Forces of Ukraine will transfer to the reserves soldiers in compulsory service from the State Special Transport Service and other military formations created under Ukrainian law, including those whose service period expired during martial law or was extended beyond the standard terms. This directive formalizes the process and sets the framework for the transition into reserve status (Source: presidential decree documentation).
Earlier reports include testimonies from Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel who described mobilization experiences despite attempts to influence or interrupt the process, highlighting ongoing tensions and procedural challenges in the transition to reserve status.