By Rostyslav Averchuk
Lviv, Ukraine, May 3 (EFE).- Ukraine plans to double the salaries of frontline infantry and allow some troops to demobilize as early as 2026 after years of service, as part of a long-awaited military reform announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Under the plan, soldiers facing the highest risks on the front line would see monthly pay rise from about $3,000–$3,700 to about $5,800–$9,400. The changes are expected to take effect in June.
“A Ukrainian infantryman who holds the frontline must feel that our state truly respects him,” Zelenskyy said.
“Combat missions on the frontline, real combat and leadership experience, and the effectiveness of a service member must guarantee increased pay.”
The increases will extend across the armed forces. Base pay for rear positions will rise from roughly $470 to $700, with total compensation varying based on each soldier’s role and performance.
Lawmakers say the overhaul could also introduce significant bonuses for battlefield achievements, such as capturing enemy troops or destroying valuable equipment.
The plan has been broadly welcomed. Despite a $23,000 enlistment bonus for young recruits and $351,000 in compensation for families of those killed, military pay has long been viewed as insufficient given the risks involved.
Low salaries have discouraged recruitment and weighed on morale, particularly among personnel in rear positions earning below the national average.
“Ukraine is finally following Russia’s example, which relies heavily on financial incentives rather than patriotism to recruit,” military analyst Oleksandr Kovalenko told EFE.
Funding constraints have previously delayed pay raises, but analysts link the reform to improved financial support from the European Union, particularly a €90 billion loan.
“Our partners used to be reluctant to finance military salaries. Something has changed,” lawmaker Roman Kostenko said in a radio interview.
Officials and analysts say higher pay alone will not solve manpower shortages. They stress the need to improve training and leadership, while expanding the use of technology to offset Russia’s larger force.
Although drones are increasingly used for logistics and combat, thousands of infantry troops remain essential to hold positions and conduct counterattacks along the roughly 1,200-kilometer front line.
The reform also envisions a gradual shift toward a contract-based military. Some troops could be eligible for demobilization starting in 2026, addressing long-standing complaints about indefinite service with limited leave.
Families of service members have called for clearer timelines, saying prolonged deployments have left many soldiers physically and psychologically exhausted.
Details of the demobilization process are expected later this month, and its scope will depend largely on battlefield conditions and Russia’s mobilization efforts. EFE
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