Zelensky announces army reform. PLN 33,000 for the infantry and returning home

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a reform in the armed forces on Friday, and the most important changes are to be higher salaries of soldiers, mainly on the front line, and clear criteria for leaving military service.

“The reform will start in June and the first results should appear already in June, in particular in terms of financial security for soldiers, sergeants (non-commissioned officers) and commanders of the Ukrainian Defense Forces,” Zelensky said on social media.

He explained that in the agreement between the military command and the government, it was decided to increase the salary “taking into account the principle of justice, namely – front-line combat tasks, real combat and command experience, and soldier's effectiveness should guarantee an increase in payments.”

In positions behind the front, soldiers should earn no less than PLN 30,000. hryvnia (less than PLN 2.5 thousand)but in combat positions – as the president wrote – they should receive “many times more”.

Particular attention was paid to the reform on foot.

I ordered to ensure the implementation of special contracts (…) for our infantry soldiers with payments of UAH 250-400 thousand (approx. PLN 26.6-33 thousand) depending on the performance of combat tasks, he emphasized.

Zelensky also announced changes in the approach to assembling units and direct command.

“I have ordered the strengthening of the contract system in the Defense Forces in such a way that, by extending the contract component, it will ensure specific terms of service and the possibility – starting this year – of phased release from service of those who were mobilized earlier, based on clear time criteria,” said the President of Ukraine. (PAP)

jjk/ap/