Ukraine is launching the biggest transformation of its Army since the beginning of the large-scale invasion by Russiawith plans to significantly increase the wagesintroduce contracts of fixed-term military service and cover up to 50% of infantry and assault positions with foreigners.
The measures, announced by the Ukrainian president, Volodímir Zelenskiaim to make infantry salaries “the highest in the world.” The average salary of frontline infantry will increase to about $7,000 a month (6,000 euros), with a maximum of up to $10,000 (8,640 euros), compared to the current 2,500 to 3,000 dollars (2,160 to 2,600 euros) for those in front positions. The increase is designed to make higher-risk positions much more attractive to recruits.
Financial incentives are just one part of a broader package put together by Mikhail Fedorovthe former head of Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation who was appointed defense minister five months ago.
Towards a fairer system
“Forcing Russia to peace” is not only a question of weapons and technology, Fedorov said when announcing the first measures, which were approved by the Council of Ministers on Friday. “A new system of military servicebased on respect for the person, justice and clear rules,” he stressed, noting that the measures are expected to consolidate the favorable trend for Ukraine on the battlefield.
Specifically, the reform responds to a long-standing demand from soldiers and their families for greater predictability with the introduction of fixed term contracts that guarantee a break after its completion, replacing the current de facto indefinite service. The contracts will have a duration of between 6 and 24 monthswhile the exemption period of military service will be from 6 months and will depend on the duration and risks of the service.
Soldiers with more seniority will be able to begin “phasing out” the ranks at the end of the year, while others will have significantly longer breaks between contracts.
Fedorov also announced the launch of a digitalized mission control system to ensure fair distribution of tasks and greater transparency in remuneration.
More foreign soldiers
After more than four years of intense fighting and large scale mobilizationUkraine plans to cover 30% to 50% of its needs for infantry and assault troops through international recruitment, Fedorov said.
Miles of foreign fighters already serve in the Ukrainian Army, with the largest contingents coming from Colombia and other Latin American countries. Until now, recruiting has largely been managed by individual units.
“There are certain units in which between 60% and 80% of the personnel are volunteers foreigners. His contribution is difficult to overestimate,” Dmitro “Domovik”, commander of a drone company of the 413th “Raid” Regiment, told EFE.
The reform will create new mechanisms to expand foreign participation. “I have given instructions to open significantly more opportunities to foreign volunteers wishing to enlist in the Ukrainian Army,” Zelensky declared.
The Ukrainian president assured that the country has the necessary funds to carry out the reform, although he did not give more details.
Possible criticism
The reform is considered essential to Ukraine’s ability to maintain your defense in the long term. Although its main elements have been anticipated for some time, its successful implementation will be key to overcoming skepticism among soldiers who have been fighting since the first days of the war.
The sharp pay increase for the infantry could also generate discontent among soldiers in the rearwhose salaries will grow more modestly, Yarina Chornoguz, a volunteer who enlisted in the Army in 2020, warned on her social networks. The base salary for most rearguard positions will increase from an equivalent of about 400 to 600 euros per month.
The changes, which are expected to take effect this month, will not end the mandatory mobilizationwhich is scheduled to continue for the duration of active hostilities.
