New Contract System Aims to Clarify Military Service and Demobilization
Senior officials from Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, General Staff, and the President’s Office have agreed on a fresh contractual framework for troop demobilization. This initiative outlines three distinct contract types, each with a defined service period, allowing mobilized personnel to sign up with the assurance of a set demobilization date and the option of a deferment until the next draft. While contract holders can renew their agreements, previous service time will not carry over into the new contract.
Service Durations and Pay Increases Under the New Plan
The new rules establish specific service lengths:
- 10 months for current troops in combat roles,
- 14 months for new recruits seeking combat positions,
- two years for all other roles, including drone pilots and media personnel.
Service members will be able to select their own positions.
Additionally, the minimum salary for rear-echelon troops is set to rise from 20,000 to 30,000 hryvnias. Commanders at various levels will see their pay doubled. The new compensation system introduces three payment tiers:
- 10,000 hryvnias per day for personnel stationed on the front line,
- 20,000 hryvnias for assault and search operations (e.g., retaking lost positions or clearing areas),
- 40,000 hryvnias for active offensive operations.
According to officials, an infantryman regularly engaging in combat missions could earn between 250,000 and 400,000 hryvnias per month. A maximum payment cap will be enforced, with disbursements based on orders from unit commanders.
It is important to note that these proposals have not yet been codified into law or official decrees. The Ministry of Defense and the General Staff are expected to finalize the contract details by month’s end. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced the launch of a broader reform of Ukraine’s military, with key directions agreed upon during April. Troops will still have the option to decline a contract, preserving their right to choose.
The new approach to contract service in the Ukrainian army aims to provide clear service terms and enhance social guarantees for military personnel.
Source: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
These changes in pay and job selection could incentivize mobilized soldiers to sign contracts, ultimately affecting the overall combat readiness of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The government’s push for these initiatives underscores its commitment to modernizing the army and adapting it to current security challenges. Given the ongoing situation in the country, implementing these adjustments may significantly boost troop morale and their willingness to serve.
As the Ukrainian military implements these new contracts, the financial incentives for service members are also undergoing significant changes. For more details on the revamped salary structures for infantry and the potential earnings of up to 400,000 hryvnias, you can read about the recent army reforms announced by Zelenskyy here.