Defense Ministry Announces Overhaul of Ukraine’s Armed Forces: New Pay Scales and Demobilization by Year-End.

Ukraine’s Defense Forces Undergoing Major Transformation

According to Espreso.tv: On June 12, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense approved a set of resolutions introducing sweeping changes to the country’s defense forces. These reforms cover revised salary structures, new deferment policies, and plans to release military personnel from service.

Under the updated framework, the baseline monthly compensation for service members has been raised from 20,000 to 30,000 hryvnias. Additionally, wounded soldiers will now receive 100,000 hryvnias per month for a full year. The average military salary has climbed to 300,000 hryvnias, marking a significant boost in financial support for troops.

Demobilization Plans for Long-Serving Troops

The ministry also intends to begin discharging soldiers who have served continuously since 2014 and 2022 by the end of this year. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has ordered that additional payments for military personnel be implemented as early as June. Meanwhile, Mykhailo Fedorov announced that, as part of the broader service system transformation, contract servicemen can now return to duty through the 'Army+' mobile app.

These measures are part of a comprehensive strategy to modernize Ukraine’s armed forces and improve social protections for those in uniform.

The newly introduced changes in military pay and social safeguards could have a substantial impact on troop morale, especially amid the ongoing conflict. Higher salaries and enhanced injury benefits reflect the state’s effort to create better conditions for service members, potentially boosting their loyalty and readiness. At the same time, the planned demobilization raises questions about the future composition of military units and how it might affect army size in the near term.