Ukraine to Begin Phased Demobilization by End of 2026

Ukraine’s defense ministry on Sunday, June 14, provided new details of a sweeping military reform that includes higher frontline pay, new contract rules and the gradual demobilization of some long-serving troops.

In a statement published on Telegram, the ministry said soldiers facing greater risks on the battlefield will receive greater compensation and benefits under the new reforms.

“For the first time in the Ukrainian military, a principle is being introduced: The more risk you take, the more you receive,” the ministry said.

The ministry said the relevant government resolutions were approved on Friday and are expected to take effect once signed and officially published.

Demobilization to begin for longest-serving troops

The ministry said phased demobilization is expected to begin by the end of the year, following instructions from President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The first troops eligible for release will be those with the longest service records, including soldiers who have served since 2014 and those mobilized at the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

The ministry did not specify how many personnel might be demobilized at the initial stage of the process.

The announcement expands on reform proposals first outlined by Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov in May, when he said phased demobilization could begin in 2026 as part of a broader overhaul of Ukraine’s military personnel system.

The issue of demobilization has sparked major debate among lawmakers in 2024, when the country revised its mobilization law. The clause was ultimately omitted from the bill despite significant pressure from parts of society.

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Frontline pay rises, rear positions guaranteed minimum salary

The ministry said combat troops on the front line could receive average monthly compensation of around Hr.300,000 (around $6,700).

The minimum monthly pay for personnel in rear positions will increase from Hr.20,000 ($447) to Hr.30,000 ($670) through an additional Hr.10,000 ($223) allowance, it added.

Officials described the changes as the first stage of a broader transformation to support frontline units while improving baseline support for personnel serving away from combat zones.

Under the new rules, wounded soldiers undergoing inpatient treatment will continue receiving combat-related payments of Hr.100,000 ($2,234) per month for up to 12 months of continuous medical care.

New contracts promise clearer service terms

The reform package also includes an expansion of contract-based military service.

According to the ministry, the new contracts will provide clearer service timelines and guaranteed deferments linked to combat experience.

“Contracts are not only about payments,” the ministry said. “For the first time, there will be clear service terms and guaranteed deferments based on your combat experience.”

Officials argued that the changes would give soldiers greater control over their future while helping create what they described as a more sustainable and professional military structure.

The reforms form part of a broader restructuring effort led by Fedorov, who has said the ministry aims to build a more transparent, efficient and sustainable model for recruitment, retention and military service.