diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index 621435f..018817c 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -35,12 +35,21 @@ cache:
 # For merge requests do not `deploy` but only run `verify`.
 # See https://maven.apache.org/guides/introduction/introduction-to-the-lifecycle.html
 .verify: &verify
+  stages:
+    - test
+    - upload artifacts
   stage: test
   script:
     - 'mvn $MAVEN_CLI_OPTS verify'
   except:
     variables:
       - $CI_COMMIT_BRANCH == $CI_DEFAULT_BRANCH
+  stage: upload artifacts
+  script:
+    - 'mvn $MAVEN_CLI_OPTS deploy -s ci_settings.xml'
+  except:
+    variables:
+      - $CI_COMMIT_BRANCH == $CI_DEFAULT_BRANCH
 
 # Verify merge requests using JDK8
 build:
@@ -56,7 +65,13 @@ upload artifacts:
     - if [ ! -f ci_settings.xml ];
         then echo "CI settings missing\! If deploying to GitLab Maven Repository, please see https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/user/packages/maven_repository/index.html#create-maven-packages-with-gitlab-cicd for instructions.";
       fi
-    - 'mvn $MAVEN_CLI_OPTS deploy -s ci_settings.xml'
+    - eval $(ssh-agent -s)
+    - ssh-add <(echo "$GITLAB_RUNNER_KEY")
+    - mkdir -p ~/.ssh
+    - '[[ -f /.dockerenv ]] && echo -e "Host *\n\tStrictHostKeyChecking no\n\n" > ~/.ssh/config'
+    - git checkout -B "$CI_BUILD_REF_NAME"
+    - 'mvn -B release:prepare -s ci_settings.xml'
+    - 'mvn -B release:perform -s ci_settings.xml'
   only:
     variables:
       - $CI_COMMIT_BRANCH == $CI_DEFAULT_BRANCH
diff --git a/pom.xml b/pom.xml
index d4003a2..8b129eb 100644
--- a/pom.xml
+++ b/pom.xml
@@ -97,6 +97,14 @@
           </systemPropertyVariables>
         </configuration>
       </plugin>
+      <plugin>
+        <groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>
+        <artifactId>maven-release-plugin</artifactId>
+        <version>2.5.1</version>
+        <configuration>
+          <scmCommentPrefix>[skip ci] [maven-release-plugin]</scmCommentPrefix>
+        </configuration>
+      </plugin>
       <plugin>
         <artifactId>maven-failsafe-plugin</artifactId>
         <version>${surefire-plugin.version}</version>