Ukraine will carry out reforms in the army, allowing for the gradual demobilization of soldiers based on clear time criteria, and a significant increase in the salaries of infantry fighting at the front, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Friday.
It is planned to start implementing the reform already in June.
Mobilization is a sensitive issue in Ukraine, which has been fighting against the aggressor Russian troops for four years. Ukraine’s military leadership has considered new ideas to make the service more attractive, and now the issue of ending the unpopular open-ended contracts is under discussion.
“Starting this year, gradual release from service becomes possible for those who were mobilized earlier, based on clear time criteria,” Zelensky announced on social networks. The president did not specify after how long the soldiers will be allowed to demobilize, and did not yet provide details on the changes to the length of service.
Zelensky announced that salaries for infantrymen at the front will be increased to 250,000 – 400,000 hryvnias (approximately 4,900 – 7,700 euros) per month.
According to the Ukrainian army’s website, infantrymen can currently receive up to 170,000 hryvnias (3,300 euros) a month if they are stationed at the front or behind enemy lines for 30 days.
It is planned to increase the minimum monthly salary from 20,000 to 30,000 hryvnias (430 – 600 euros) even for soldiers who are not fighting at the front, Zelensky revealed.
More details on the reform will be announced later this month.
