Ukrainian President Poroshenko signed legislation "On the Size of the Armed Forces of Ukraine" Wednesday adopted by Verkhovna Rada earlier this month.
"In extraordinary period" the size of the Ukrainian armed forces can be increased for the number of people drafted into the army in accordance with mobilization regulations. Previously, the size of Ukraine's military personnel was limited to 184 thousand people.
The legislation states, however, that since the beginning of the "extraordinary period" combined with a rising threat to the state's security, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are forming two centers of operational command, 11 brigades, four regiments, 18 battalions, 16 squadrons, 13 platoons, assigned for various military purposes.
Kiev launched a full-scale military campaign aimed against residents of southeastern Ukraine in April 2014.
The new legislation has come into force amid the gradual military de-escalation in eastern Ukraine which followed the signing of the ceasefire agreement in Minsk on February 12, 2015. The deal aimed at establishing peace in Ukraine, stipulated a ceasefire beginning February 15 as well as the withdrawal of heavy military equipment from the contact line in southeastern Ukraine.
