About 7,000 men sign contract with Ukraine's army since year's start

About 7,000 men have signed a contract since the beginning of 2017 to service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ukrainian Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak has said.

"Over the two months, we've enrolled 7,000 Ukrainians who have decided for themselves that this is where they belong," he said during an official event on Ukrainian Volunteer Day in Kyiv on Tuesday.

The minister praised the level of the preparedness of soldiers on contracts.

"It is very high and it is constantly growing," he said.