Zelensky Unveils Defense Overhaul: Higher Pay, Fixed Service Terms, New Contracts for Troops

Ukraine is moving to boost the financial resilience of its armed forces and overhaul military service conditions, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Zelensky on Friday said he held talks with Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, and Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko, with top military leadership backing the reform package.

The plan aims to strengthen defense funding, modernize contracts, and introduce clearer service timelines in an army that has been under wartime strain since 2022.

Higher pay, structured contracts

Zelensky said the government has the resources to raise military salaries, including a minimum of Hr.30,000 ($667) for rear-area service, with higher compensation depending on combat intensity.

He also announced new infantry contracts offering an average of Hr.300,000 ($6,667) for frontline positions.

“New, significantly stronger contracts for infantry will be introduced,” he said, stressing the central role of Ukraine’s ground forces.

Currently, the maximum base salary for infantry is about Hr.100,000 ($2,222) in frontline conditions with combat bonuses, while rear positions typically start from much lower levels.

Unlike the proposed system, Ukraine’s armed forces currently operate without fixed-term service contracts for most mobilized troops, meaning many soldiers have been serving continuously since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, often without defined rotation or discharge timelines.

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Under the new framework, contracts will be clearly structured with fixed terms of 10, 14, and 24 months, along with guaranteed conditions and deferments.

Additional pay increases are also planned for combat commanders to retain experienced leadership. The Cabinet of Ministers is expected to finalize the mechanism, with first payments being due in June.

Foreign volunteers and personnel reforms

Zelensky also announced expanded recruitment channels for foreign volunteers joining Ukraine’s armed forces, praising those already fighting for Ukraine.

He further outlined reforms to simplify troop transfers, improve career mobility, and strengthen incentives for military service.

Zelensky said direct funding for combat brigades and more flexible personnel distribution have already shown results, alongside increased autonomy for units in training and staffing decisions.

“These are solid foundations for introducing fixed terms of service,” he said, adding that the effectiveness of the reforms should become visible over the summer.

The Ministry of Defense will present detailed implementation plans.