KYIV – Ukraine said on Friday it will begin sweeping army reforms this summer as it tries to ease infantry shortages and prepare for the discharge of soldiers who have served the longest in the four-year war with Russia.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said key details of the overhaul will be finalized in May, with the first stage starting in June. He said the changes are aimed at improving pay, service conditions, and rotation policies for frontline troops facing constant drone attacks and prolonged combat pressure.
Ukraine’s military has remained heavily outnumbered since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, and manpower problems have become more serious as enthusiasm for service has declined. Complaints about weak training, limited support, and aggressive draft enforcement have added to public frustration over conscription and military service rules.
Zelenskiy said infantry soldiers, who face some of the highest risks on the battlefield, deserve greater respect and better compensation from the state. Under the proposed system, non-combat personnel would receive at least 30,000 hryvnias $$$683$$ a month, while combat roles would pay significantly more.
He also said special infantry contracts would range from 250,000 to 400,000 hryvnias. The reforms are expected to strain Ukraine’s finances further at a time when the country relies heavily on foreign aid and must constantly adjust its budget for war needs.
Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov described the plan as a systemic transformation, saying it includes a fair-pay model, a new contract structure with clear service terms, transparent rotation rules, and changes to unit staffing.
Most troops mobilized since 2022 have not had fixed service periods, and reports have repeatedly surfaced of soldiers staying in the same positions for months without relief. Officials said the new policy should eventually allow phased discharge for long-serving personnel based on time criteria.
With U.S.-mediated peace talks stalled, Zelenskiy said Ukraine must remain ready to keep fighting if no settlement is reached. Supporters of the reform say it is essential for sustaining the war effort, while critics warn it will add financial pressure and deepen political debate over mobilization.