Ukraine extends contracts of foreign soldiers to 10 years

Ukraine on Tuesday extended the contract period of foreign soldiers serving in the army to 10 years.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the "decision on the amendment of the regulation on the military service of foreigners and stateless people in the Armed Forces of Ukraine," said a release published on the presidency's website.

Before the recent decision, the contract period of foreign soldiers in the Ukrainian army could be extended to up to five years.

Thousands of foreign fighters, mostly from Western countries, came to Ukraine upon a call by the Kyiv administration to fight against Russia since the war began on Feb. 24.

Russia's war on Ukraine has drawn international condemnation, led to financial sanctions on Moscow, and spurred an exodus of global firms from Russia.

At least 5,237 civilians have been killed and 7,035 injured in Ukraine since the beginning of the war on Feb. 24, according to the UN. Some 10 million people have also fled to neighboring countries.