Army reform to start in June: phased demobilization to begin this year – Zelenskyy
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that army reform will begin in June.
The head of state reported this on Telegram, Censor.NET informs.
What is known?
"The key areas of the reform were agreed in April: the military command and the government determined the formula for changes. Now, in May, all key details will be agreed. The reform will start in June, and the first results should come as early as June, particularly in the area of financial support for soldiers, sergeants, and commanders of Ukraine’s Defense Forces," the statement said.
What will change?
"First: I have set the task of significantly increasing pay, taking into account the principle of fairness, namely that combat missions on the front line, real combat and command experience, and the effectiveness of a serviceman must guarantee higher payments.
The minimum level should be no less than UAH 30,000 for rear-area positions. For combat positions, it should be several times higher. Ukrainian commanders, combat sergeants and officers must receive a decent and significantly increased level of payments," the head of state stressed.
The second issue concerned infantrymen.
"A Ukrainian infantry soldier who is holding the front line must feel that our state truly respects him. I have instructed that special contracts be introduced specifically for our infantry soldiers, with payments ranging from UAH 250,000 to 400,000, depending on the combat missions performed," Zelenskyy explained.
The president named a change in approaches to staffing Ukrainian units and managing personnel as the third point.
"I have instructed that the contract system in the Defense Forces be strengthened in such a way that, through the expansion of the contract component, fixed terms of service are ensured and the possibility is created, starting this year, for the phased release from service of those who were mobilised earlier, based on clear time criteria.
I have instructed the military command and the Minister of Defense of Ukraine to discuss the implementation of the reform with our combat commanders and take their proposals into account when working on the details of the reform. Next week, I expect a report on specific steps in implementing the reform, including the schedule for increased payments starting in June and the system of updated contracts," the head of state summed up.
