Preserving Infantry Lives Through Drone Technology Is Top Priority, Says Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi

Greetings on Infantry Day

According to Главком: On May 6, Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, delivered a message honoring service members on Infantry Day. In his address, he outlined strategic objectives, placing the highest priority on protecting the lives of infantry soldiers. To achieve this, Syrskyi emphasized the adoption of advanced technologies, particularly unmanned aerial and ground systems.

History and Significance of Infantry Day

Infantry Day in Ukraine was officially established in 2019 by a decree from President Petro Poroshenko. As the largest branch within the Armed Forces, the infantry encompasses a wide range of units, including:

• rifle
• mechanized
• motorized infantry
• assault
• mountain assault

“Today, we honor the infantry-the soldiers of rifle, mechanized, motorized infantry, assault, and mountain assault units-who hold the shield for all of Europe, stopping the advance of the Russian horde.” - Oleksandr Syrskyi

During his speech, the Commander-in-Chief stressed that “our task is to preserve the infantry as much as possible.” He noted that achieving this requires “providing them with new technologies, especially unmanned aerial and ground systems.” Advancing and scaling innovation within Ukraine’s Armed Forces remains his personal priority.

Starting in June 2026, infantry soldiers on the front lines will receive between 250,000 and 400,000 hryvnias under special contracts. Notably, the total amount allocated for these contracts in 2026 is three times higher than in 2025, reflecting a growing focus on improving military personnel’s financial support and service conditions.

Thus, Infantry Day has become not only a reminder of this branch’s critical role but also a reaffirmation of the state’s commitment to meeting their needs and integrating modern technologies to enhance operational effectiveness.

This event highlights the increasing importance of infantry in modern conflicts, especially amid the confrontation with Russia. Official recognition of infantry units and their material support could play a key role in boosting troop morale and readiness. Investments in new technologies signal Ukraine’s determination to adapt to contemporary security and defense challenges.

As part of this commitment to enhancing infantry capabilities, starting in June 2026, soldiers will be eligible for contracts valued at up to 400,000 UAH. This significant increase aims to bolster financial support and improve conditions for military personnel. For more details on this initiative, read about the upcoming financial contracts for infantry soldiers.