Ukraine Raises Base Military Pay 33% to 30,000 Hryvnias as It Seeks More Foreign Fighters
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Jun 12
Ukraine Raises Base Military Pay 33% to 30,000 Hryvnias as It Seeks More Foreign Fighters
3 articles · Updated · Reuters · Jun 12
Summary
30,000 hryvnias a month will become Ukraine’s new basic military wage, with first payments due in June under a government mechanism Zelenskiy said the cabinet will approve.
300,000 hryvnias will go to frontline infantry on average, up from roughly 100,000-150,000 now, as Kyiv tries to ease a manpower shortage after four years of war and stalled peace talks.
10-, 14- and 24-month combat contracts are being introduced alongside expanded channels to recruit foreign volunteers into the army.
€90 billion in EU loans will help fund record 4.4 trillion hryvnias in defence spending this year; about 10,000 foreign volunteers from more than 70 countries have joined since the war began.
With foreigners set to fill half its infantry, can Ukraine's radical military overhaul actually secure victory?
Will Ukraine's bet on foreign soldiers and robot armies fundamentally change the future of modern warfare?
Ukraine’s 2026 Military Overhaul: Landmark Reforms, Foreign Legion Surge, and the Drive for a NATO-Ready, Tech-Driven Army
Overview
In 2026, Ukraine launched a major military reform led by President Zelensky, marking a turning point in its defense strategy. The reform centers on boosting the financial resilience of the armed forces and sets the stage for a broader transformation of the Ukrainian army. After discussions with key Cabinet ministers, the government agreed on new mechanisms to improve financial conditions for service members, with the first payments planned as early as June. This immediate financial commitment highlights Ukraine’s dedication to supporting its military personnel and signals the beginning of a comprehensive, long-term modernization effort.