Ukraine has announced what Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyy called the most significant reform of military service in the country’s history. The package, unveiled on 12 June 2026, introduces new contract terms, higher military pay, service-duration guarantees and deferred mobilisation periods, while also addressing long-standing concerns over rotation and demobilisation. The changes affect both current personnel and future recruits but have drawn criticism from many long-serving soldiers.
Under the reform, recruits will receive clearer information about where they serve, how long they serve and what benefits they receive. New contracts took effect on 15 June, including infantry-assault contracts ranging from six to 14 months depending on service status, while other combat and non-combat contracts last 24 months.
The government has also significantly increased military pay. Infantry soldiers can now earn an average of around 300,000 hryvnyas ($6,700) per month through new bonuses, with maximum earnings reaching 460,000 hryvnyas ($10,200). Rear-area personnel will receive at least 30,000 hryvnyas monthly, while drone operators and other combat specialists will earn between 30,000 and 120,000 hryvnyas.
A key element of the reform is the introduction of guaranteed deferment periods after contracts expire. Soldiers will receive at least six months free from mobilisation, with longer deferments possible depending on combat experience and length of service. Defence Minister Mykhaylo Fedorov also said some troops who have served continuously since 2022 or earlier could be gradually released from duty through separate presidential decrees later this year.
The reform also includes new rules for military personnel who went absent without leave (AWOL) and plans to expand the recruitment of foreign nationals, who officials hope could eventually account for 30–50% of assault and infantry units.
Despite these measures, many veteran soldiers have criticised the reforms. Long-serving personnel argue that the system does not adequately reward years of service and may require veterans to serve periods similar to new recruits before qualifying for deferments. Critics have also questioned the focus on infantry bonuses, noting that drone operators, artillery crews and other frontline support personnel did not receive comparable pay increases.
The debate comes as Ukraine continues to face manpower shortages. Although military leadership has introduced mandatory frontline rotation after two months of combat duty, commanders have warned that understaffed units may struggle to implement the policy. Some officers say battalions remain far below full strength, making regular rotations difficult.
The reform follows years of debate over mobilisation and demobilisation during the war. Ukrainian law still does not allow discharge solely on the basis of long service during martial law, leaving many experienced troops uncertain about when they may permanently leave the military.
Further changes are expected later in 2026. According to Deputy Defence Minister Mstyslav Banik, the government is preparing additional reforms to mobilisation procedures, enlistment offices and deferment rules. If implemented successfully, the measures could make military service more predictable and improve recruitment, although concerns over fairness, staffing shortages and demobilisation are likely to remain central challenges.
