As we wrote earlier , on May 1, 2026, President Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting with representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other security agencies and issued a statement on a large-scale reform of the army, where he announced the beginning of a financial reform to increase financial support for both rear positions and front-line infantrymen and their commanders. The statement also announced the approximate amount of the planned salary increase for servicemen, namely at least 30 thousand UAH. for those in the rear and separately from 250 to 400 thousand UAH per month for those on the front line.
And today, according to a statement by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, details became known about what the financial reform in the army is changing and what systemic transformation the new contracts of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will undergo from June 2026 at the initiative of the President, and what will be the significant difference between contracts for rear and frontline attack aircraft.
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In short, the main goal of the new contracts is not just to strengthen the army, but to make the service efficient, fair, and technological. The basis of this reform is the principle: a person who protects the home must clearly know his unit, position, term of service, and level of support. Read the details of each of the three types of new contracts below in our analytical material.
Three types of contracts: Choose your path
From now on, the system becomes clear and transparent for everyone, both for ordinary mobilized soldiers, including those who have been fighting since the first days of the full-scale invasion, and for new recruits and those who have been defending the country since the ATO/JFO.
Depending on your specialization and risk appetite, three key contracts with the Armed Forces of Ukraine are offered in 2026:
1. Infantry Assault Contract
This type of contract service is suitable for those who wish to serve directly on the front line, holding the position of: infantryman, assault rifleman, sniper, or scout.
- Term of service: Given the significant risks to the life and health of soldiers on the front lines, the term of service under such a contract is the shortest and is only 14 months.
- Financial support: The average salary for an infantryman or assault soldier under this contract is 300,000 UAH/month (~$7,000 USD), or the maximum limit can reach 460,000 UAH/month (~$10,000 USD).
- Bonuses: Guaranteed deferment from mobilization after the end of the contract term is 6 months + additional months for days on zero.
2. Combat contract
This type of contract is suitable for those who can be involved in combat missions in combat positions in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but are not part of assault units (artillery, air defense, UAV crews, etc.).
- Service period : 10 months longer compared to the “Infantry-Assault” contract and is 24 months.
- Financial support: In combat positions — 120,000 UAH/month , in the rear — 30,000 UAH/month .
- Bonuses: Deferment from mobilization after the expiration of the contract for 6 months.
3. Basic contract
This type of contract is suitable for specialists who ensure the work of the army in the rear in the following positions: logisticians, staff officers, and technical specialists.
- Term of Service : Under this contract, the term of service is 2 years (24 months).
- Monetary support: Guaranteed minimum of30,000 UAH, total range including combat missions and other allowancesfrom 30,000 to 70,000 UAH.
- Feature: Possibility of switching to a combat or infantry contract at your own request.
- Bonuses: Postponement after the expiration of the contract for a period of 6 months or more.
Payment Mathematics: How are 460,000 hryvnias per month accrued to infantrymen on the front lines?
Everyone — both mobilized and contract soldiers — receives payments for completing tasks. The payment directly depends on the risk: the closer to the enemy, the higher the income.
Here’s how an infantryman’s salary is formed :
- 20,000 UAH is the basic cash benefit.
- 10,000 UAH — for each day of stay in the positions.
- 20,000 UAH – per day of search and rescue operations.
- 40,000 UAH — for one day of assault operations.
Also, as part of the reform, the minimum salary in the rear increased from 20,000 to 30,000 UAH , and the salaries of combat unit commanders doubled.
Deferral as an additional bonus fixed in the contract
After completing service under the new contract, each soldier will have the right to a well-deserved rest. The declared 6-month deferment is the guaranteed minimum that can be released from performing tasks on the LBZ. Why in practice will the term be longer? Because it is necessary to take into account the time spent directly on “zero”. Example: If an infantryman served 10 months, of which 4 were on combat missions, his deferment will be 6 + 1 month , which actually gives 7 months of civilian life before possible re-mobilization.
Some more technologies and changes
As part of the new reform, new tools are being introduced to ensure transparency, fairness, and security, including:
- Mission Control: A special system for infantrymen and stormtroopers that confirms their presence in positions. This guarantees timely payments and the absence of bureaucratic manipulations + the ability to quickly search for the wounded.
- Army+: Launch of automatic transfers and quick transfers between units within the front line section.
- Return window for SZCH: Those who previously left the service have a limited time opportunity to return, independently choosing the unit and commander where they want to continue serving.
- Performance Analysis: Teams will be evaluated on 160+ metrics to scale successful experiences in a specific case and analytically avoid mistakes that cost lives.
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Ukraine is also opening the recruitment market for foreigners with the aim of having more than 50% of citizens of other countries fighting on the front lines protecting the security and territorial integrity of Ukraine. That is, the main goal for the future is for more than half of the stormtroopers to be legionnaires (citizens of other states).
Summary for active military personnel: If you are already serving under a contract, you can re-sign it under new terms with clear terms and taking into account the time already served, this is what is being proposed as of now, but the law has not yet been finally adopted, so the exact details and conditions will be known later. For those who are just planning to join the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, this is a chance to choose between the technological part or the high-paying part of the contract.
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