Ukraine launches military overhaul with infantry pay hikes, fixed contracts and foreign recruitment drive

A sweeping reform package

Ukraine is rolling out the most extensive overhaul of its armed forces since Russia's full-scale invasion began over four years ago. The package, approved by the cabinet on Friday, includes dramatic pay raises for frontline infantry, fixed-term service contracts to replace indefinite deployment, and a push to fill up to half of infantry and assault positions with foreign volunteers. The reforms respond to chronic manpower shortages and exhaustion among soldiers who have been unable to demobilize after years of combat. Military analysts note that the civilian average salary has risen steadily during the war, making competitive military pay essential for recruitment.

Salary increases for combat troops

Under the new plan, infantry soldiers on the front line will receive an average monthly salary of about $7,000 (€6,000), up from the current $2,500–3,000 for those in forward positions. The basic wage for all military personnel will also rise by one-third, from 20,000 hryvnias ($335) to 30,000 hryvnias ($700), matching Ukraine's average civilian pay. Defence minister Mikhailo Fedorov described the increase as making Ukrainian infantry pay "the highest in the world," designed to attract more recruits to the most dangerous roles.

Fixed-term contracts and guaranteed rest

A long-standing demand from soldiers and their families, the reform introduces contracts of 6 to 24 months that replace the de facto indefinite service that has kept many troops on active duty for years. After completing a contract, service members will be entitled to at least six months' exemption from military service, with the length of the break depending on the duration and risks of their deployment. Veteran soldiers may begin to leave the ranks gradually by the end of this year, while others will have significantly longer pauses between contracts. A digital mission-control system will also be introduced to ensure fair task distribution and greater pay transparency.

It needs a new system of military service, based on respect for the individual, justice and clear rules.

Foreign recruitment and EU funding

Zelenskyy said he had instructed officials to create more channels for recruiting foreign volunteers, with the aim of filling up to 50% of infantry and assault posts from abroad. Around 10,000 foreign fighters from more than 70 countries have already joined Ukraine's army, according to Ukrainian military publications. The reforms are backed by a €90 billion ($104 billion) EU loan that will allow Kyiv to push defence spending to a record 4.4 trillion hryvnias ($97 billion) this year, with funds due to start flowing this month. Separately, EU ambassadors agreed on Friday to advance membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova, with the first phase of negotiations opening on Monday.

Everything is based on the Ukrainian infantry, on our Ukrainian infantry.