Army reform is set to begin in June 2026: infantrymen are set to receive payments of between 250,000 and 400,000 hryvnias
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced this on Telegram.
Ukraine is embarking on military reform.
According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during April the military command and the government agreed on the key areas for change and defined the reform framework.
All the main details are due to be finalised in May.
The reform is scheduled to begin in June.
The President stated that the first results should be seen as early as June, particularly regarding the financial support for soldiers, sergeants and commanders of the Ukrainian Defence Forces.
250–400 thousand UAH for infantrymen
The reform will place particular emphasis on infantrymen.
Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian infantrymen holding the front line must feel genuine respect from the state.
The President has instructed that special contracts be introduced specifically for infantrymen.
Payments under such contracts are to range from 250,000 to 400,000 UAH.
The amount of pay will depend on the completion of combat missions.
“A Ukrainian infantryman holding the front line must feel that our state truly respects him. I have instructed that special contracts be introduced specifically for our infantrymen, with payments ranging from 250,000 to 400,000 hryvnias depending on the fulfilment of combat tasks,” Zelenskyy stated.
Higher payments for combat missions
The President also set the task of significantly increasing the pay of military personnel.
According to him, the increase must take into account the principle of fairness.
Combat missions on the front line, actual combat and command experience, as well as a serviceman’s effectiveness, should guarantee an increase in pay.
The minimum pay for rear-line posts must be no less than 30,000 hryvnias.
For combat positions, pay should be several times higher.
Separately, Zelenskyy stated the need for a decent and significantly increased level of pay for Ukrainian commanders, combat sergeants and officers.
New contracts and changes to unit staffing
The third area of reform concerns the staffing of units and personnel management.
Zelenskyy has instructed that approaches to staffing Ukrainian units be changed.
The contract system within the Defence Forces must also be strengthened.
According to the President, expanding the contract component should ensure fixed terms of service.
Furthermore, this should enable the phased discharge from service, starting this year, of those who were previously mobilised.
This process must be based on clear time-based criteria.
Discussions with combat commanders
Zelenskyy has instructed the military command and the Minister of Defence of Ukraine to discuss the implementation of the reform with combat commanders.
Their proposals must be taken into account when working out the details of the changes.
The President expects a report next week on specific steps to implement the reform.
In particular, this concerns a schedule of increased payments, starting in June, and a system of updated contracts.
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