Ukraine introduces new military reform, promising higher salaries and clear terms of contracts for service members

Higher salaries for military

Ukrainian infantry personnel is becoming “the highest paid specialists in the world”: the average salary of a Ukrainian infantry personnel will be 300,000 UAH per month ($6,700 USD), with the maximum reaching 460,000 UAH ($10,300). 

The base reward will be 20 000 UAH, 10,000 UAH will be paid for each day on positions, 20 000 UAH for a day of search and attack operations, and 40,000 UAH for each day of offensive operations. Both mobilised and contract service members will receive payments for performing combat missions.

In addition, the minimum salary for surviving members in the rear is increasing to 30,000 UAH, and it’ll be “increasing with the risks”: the closer to the frontline, the higher the additional payment.

Commanders of military units are also promised a double salary increaseю. The salary of a brigade commander will be 150 000 UAH, and that of a corps commander – 230 000.

Updated contracts

Ukraine’s Defence Ministry introduces three new types of contracts:

• Infantry-assault contract — for infantry personnel, assault troops, snipers or scouts. On average, they will receive 300,000 UAH per month, maximum — 460,000. Contract terms — 10 or 14 months, and after, a six-month deferment from mobilisation.
• Combat contract — for combat positions, except for infantry assault. Term — 24 months, for combat positions the salary will be 120 000 UAH, in the rear — 30 000. After service, a six-month deferment from mobilisation is promised.
• Basic contract — for logistic experts, technical workers and staffs. Term — 24 months with the option to change the contract later. Salary — 30-70,000 UAH.

Deferment and discharge from military service

According to the Ministry, the mentioned 6-month deferment is the minimum term, and in practice, it can be increased. For infantry personnel who served 10 months, of which 4 were in combat, the deferment will be 6+12 months, adding up to a year and a half.

Those who are already serving under a contract can re-sign it under new terms; the deferment terms will take into account the time already served.

For those who have been in the army the longest and spent the most time in combat, a gradual discharge from service will be introduced by the end of the year.

New control system

The Ministry of Defence is launching a Mission Control system for assault and infantry troops, which will confirm their presence in positions, guarantee payments, and find the wounded faster.

Recruitment of foreigners

Private recruiting companies will be in charge of the recruiting and sending volunteers to Ukraine.

Transfers between units

Once a year, service members will be able to use an algorithm that allows them to automatically transfer to another unit within 30 days via "Army+". The limit for transfers from a military unit per month is 50 people from a brigade/regiment, 10 from a separate battalion. Then, a ban on transfers for 6 months.

Assessment of effectiveness

The new assessment system for brigade effectiveness includes more than 160 indicators to scale the experience of brigades that show results on the frontline and prevent mistakes that "cost lives."

Return for those who went AWOL

For those who voluntarily left a military unit, a return window opens: choose a unit, choose a commander, and return. However, this opportunity is limited in time.