The Ukrainian Armed Forces are undergoing significant transformations as announced by the Ministry of Defence, initiating an unprecedented reform aimed at enhancing the military service system. This includes the introduction of new contract formats with fixed terms, substantial salary increases for soldiers, and a focus on recruiting foreign volunteers to bolster the front line. Additionally, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) have been actively engaged in numerous combat encounters, with 193 clashes reported recently, showcasing their resilience and strategic acumen against aggressor forces. Highlights also include successful operations like the bridge attack in occupied Crimea and the relentless defense efforts by drone operators near the Oskil River. These developments mark a pivotal phase in strengthening Ukraine's military capabilities amid ongoing conflicts.
What are the major reforms in the Ukrainian Armed Forces?
The major reforms include the introduction of new contract formats with fixed terms starting from 10 months, significant salary increases for personnel, and a strategic recruitment drive targeting foreign volunteers to strengthen the front line. Additionally, a fast-track return scheme for servicemen from AWOL is also being implemented to ensure better service personnel management and military efficiency.
How many combat engagements have recently occurred involving the Ukrainian Armed Forces?
There have been 193 combat engagements reported by the Ukrainian Armed Forces recently, highlighting the intensity of the ongoing conflict. Fierce fighting has been noted in specific areas like the Pokrovsk direction, showcasing the resilience and strategic prowess of Ukrainian forces in countering aggressor attacks.
What are the salary changes for Ukrainian military personnel?
Under the recent reforms, salaries for infantry personnel can go up to 460,000 UAH per month, while military personnel in the rear can expect an increase to 30,000 hryvnias. These changes aim to enhance financial support for soldiers and boost morale and retention rates within the Armed Forces.
How is the recruitment process changing for the Ukrainian Armed Forces?
The recruitment process is expanding to include foreign volunteers through a large-scale campaign aimed at increasing manpower at the front line. This initiative is part of a broader reform strategy to ensure a robust and diverse military workforce capable of addressing various strategic challenges and enhancing the country's defense capabilities.
What strategic military operations have the Ukrainian Armed Forces recently undertaken?
Recent strategic operations include a successful strike on a bridge and convoy of 50 Russian trucks in Armiansk, occupied Crimea, demonstrating Ukraine's effective tactical responses. Additionally, drone operators have been active near the Oskil River, preventing enemy advancements, and Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jets conducted precise airstrikes in the Kursk region.
What advancements are being made in Ukrainian drone operations?
Ukrainian drone operations have seen significant advancements, with specialized units like the TALION battalion eliminating 10 Russian ambush drones. Operator efficiency and technological prowess are key focuses, with ongoing efforts to enhance surveillance, attack precision, and intelligence-gathering capabilities to support broader military objectives.
How is Ukraine honoring its Unmanned Systems Forces?
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has officially established the Day of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, marking it annually on June 11. This new observance celebrates the vital contributions of unmanned systems in the military's operations and strategically emphasizes the ongoing development and importance of drone technology within Ukraine's defense initiatives.
What role do foreign volunteers play in the Ukrainian Armed Forces?
Foreign volunteers are being actively recruited to bolster the ranks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces as part of its comprehensive reform effort. These volunteers bring diverse skill sets and international experience to the military, enhancing the overall strength and strategic capability of Ukraine's defense operations, thereby addressing the enduring challenges posed by ongoing conflicts.
Photo news Ukrainian Armed Forces
Kyiv resident who defrauded volunteer of $30,000 under pretence of selling drones to Armed Forces of Ukraine is to stand trial. PHOTO A 35-year-old local resident in Kyiv is to stand trial for defrauding a volunteer entrepreneur of 30,000 US dollars under the pretence of selling drones for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. 805 1 Previously in trend: financial fraud
Over 57,000 targets destroyed: effectiveness of Ukraine’s air defence remained at 88% throughout May, - AFU. PHOTOS Units of the Ukrainian Defence Forces are demonstrating a high and consistent success rate in repelling Russian air attacks. Despite the unprecedented intensity of air raids during the spring of 2026, the rate of enemy targets shot down remains between 88% and 90%. 604 2 Previously in trend: Ukrainian Air defence
AFU strike bridge and convoy of 50 ruscist trucks in Armiansk in occupied Crimea. VIDEO&PHOTOS Fighters of the 1st Separate Assault Regiment named after Dmytro Kotsiubailo, the 475th Separate Assault Regiment CODE 9.2, and the Special Operations Center "Alpha" of the Security Service of Ukraine struck a bridge and nearly 50 trucks of Russian troops carrying ammunition and fuel in... 23 911 39 Previously in trend: Attacks on Crimea
Cars for Ukraine’s Armed Forces imported as "humanitarian aid" sold in Volyn Oblast. PHOTO Law enforcement officers in Volyn Oblast have exposed a scheme involving the illegal import of cars into Ukraine under the guise of humanitarian aid for the military. 1 310 2 Previously in trend: Fundraising for support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Syrskyi and Norwegian Chief of Defence Kristoffersen visit Ukrainian troops in south. PHOTOS Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi, together with Chief of Defence of the Kingdom of Norway General Eirik Kristoffersen, visited military command bodies, separate air assault and assault units carrying out combat missions to repel the armed aggression of the... 2 108 6 Previously in trend: Syrskyi briefing Conversation between Syrskyi and Kristofferson
"More than 1,500 days": AFU soldiers defending Mala Tokmachka village set national record. PHOTOS The 118th Separate Mechanized Brigade has been recognized by the Book of Records of Ukraine for its prolonged defense of an area near Mala Tokmachka in the Zaporizhzhia region. 7 583 18
Substandard field rations for Ukraine’s Armed Forces worth UAH 71 million: suppliers and ex-Defense Ministry official notified of suspicion. PHOTOS Law enforcement officers have exposed a scheme to supply substandard field rations for Ukraine’s Armed Forces worth more than UAH 71 million. According to the investigation, entrepreneurs packed the kits with expired and unfit food products, while a former Defense Ministry official signed... 2 473 21 Previously in trend: Nutrition in the AFU Procurement of products for the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Intensive fighting ongoing in Oleksandrivka direction – Syrskyi. PHOTOS The Oleksandrivka direction remains one of the hottest areas of the front. Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi made another working visit to this area of combat operations. 1 056 3 Previously in trend: Fighting in the Oleksandrivka direction
Scheme to sell humanitarian vehicles intended for Ukraine’s Armed Forces exposed. PHOTOS Law enforcement officers have exposed a new scheme involving the illegal import and sale of vehicles registered as humanitarian aid for Ukraine’s Armed Forces. 2 005 5 Previously in trend: Fraudulent schemes
Bloggers who "leaked" Defense Forces positions on social media "face" 8 years in prison – SSU. PHOTO The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has exposed new facts of illegal dissemination of information about the locations of Ukrainian forces. As a result of a special operation, three bloggers were detained for "leaking" data on the positions and movements of the Defense Forces. 3 351 6 Previously in trend: Disclosure of collaborators
SSU has exposed FSB agent who organised arson attacks on military vehicles in Kyiv. PHOTO The Security Service has detained another FSB agent in Kyiv. Acting on orders from the Russians, he organised arson attacks on Defence Forces vehicles in the Ukrainian capital. 2 127 6 Previously in trend: burning military cars
57% of Ukrainians oppose withdrawal of AFU from Donetsk Oblast even in exchange for security guarantees – KIIS poll. INFOGRAPHICS The majority of Ukrainians are firmly opposed to the idea of withdrawing troops from the Donetsk region in exchange for security guarantees from the US and Europe. 5 140 112 Previously in trend: Ending the war
Organiser of scheme to sell non-existent cars to Armed Forces extradited from Estonia. PHOTOS Police have extradited from Estonia the organiser of a scheme to sell non-existent cars to the Ukrainian Armed Forces – the military’s monthly losses exceeded 5 million hryvnias. 3 824 6 Previously in trend: financial fraud Fraudulent schemes
Embezzlement of 5.5 million hryvnias in procurement of electronic warfare equipment and FPV drones for Armed Forces of Ukraine: case referred to court. VIDEO+PHOTOS An indictment has been filed against an organised group accused of embezzling over 5.5 million hryvnias of public funds allocated for the procurement of electronic warfare equipment and drones for the front line. 1 777 10 Previously in trend: stealing
Psychological resilience of army: NATO project continues in Ukraine, — General Staff. PHOTOS With NATO’s support, as part of the Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine, a project aimed at providing psychological support and restoring the resilience and combat readiness of Ukrainian Defence Forces personnel is proceeding successfully. 1 289 6 Previously in trend: Psychological support for the military Cooperation between Ukraine and NATO
She killed Ukrainian Armed Forces soldier on orders of Russian security services: Transcarpathian police have detained suspect. PHOTOS A soldier has been found dead in Uzhhorod. He was killed on the orders of the Russian security services, according to the Transcarpathian Regional Prosecutor’s Office. 9 660 32 Previously in trend: Killing of servicemen
Passed on coordinates for strikes against AFU, air defence and hospitals: 6 accused in custody. PHOTOS Six residents of the Donetsk region are to stand trial for high treason. 1 695 6 Previously in trend: High treason Conviction of adjusters
National Police uncover schemes involving procurement of firewood for Armed Forces of Ukraine, resulting in losses of over 100 million UAH across 15 regions. PHOTO Law enforcement agencies have carried out a large-scale operation targeting fraudulent schemes involving the procurement of firewood for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, in which officials from housing and maintenance departments and contractors are implicated. 1 337 11 Previously in trend: Embezzlement in procurement of firewood for AFU
We are making adjustments to training content regarding fight against enemy UAVs, – Syrskyi. PHOTO The Ukrainian Armed Forces are adapting military training to modern warfare conditions, with a focus on countering enemy drones, technological capabilities and the safety of the training process. 1 599 9 Previously in trend: basic military training
Three "Ai-Petri" systems and an excavator for fortifications were handed over to AFU unit. VIDEO+PHOTOS Petro Poroshenko handed over three "Ai-Petri" anti-technical reconnaissance systems and an excavator for fortification works to one of the AFU units. 2 508 31 Previously in trend: Aid to the Armed Forces of Ukraine from Poroshenko
Three soldiers from 93rd Mechanised Brigade "Kholodnyi Yar" held their positions in Kostyantynivka sector for 224 days. PHOTOS Infantrymen from the Alcatraz Battalion of the 93rd Separate Mechanised Brigade "Kholodnyi Yar" have successfully withdrawn from their positions in the Kostiantynivka sector, where they had been holding the line for over seven months. 7 978 48 Previously in trend: Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers withdraw from positions
Fraudsters sold non-existent quadcopters and cars to service members: suspects charged in Sumy region. PHOTOS In the Sumy region, law enforcement officers exposed a group of fraudsters who sold non-existent quadcopters and vehicles allegedly for the military. Over nine months, the perpetrators defrauded six people, causing losses of more than half a million hryvnias. 1 184 6 Previously in trend: Fraudulent schemes
AFU reviewed more than 1,000 innovative projects over course of year: more than 130 received grant support. PHOTOS In 2025, the Armed Forces of Ukraine reviewed over a thousand innovative projects proposed by developers for the needs of the front line. 808 1 Previously in trend: Military technologies
Sergeant training and anti-drone drills: Syrskyi chairs meeting on military training. PHOTOS General Oleksandr Syrskyi held a meeting on the quality of training for servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. During the discussion, they reviewed the state of training for platoon commanders, the work of the network of sergeant colleges, and additional training measures for military... 2 004 9 Previously in trend: Training of soldiers in brigades
Over 30 million hryvnias in fuel losses for AFU: suspicions have been raised against officials of Ministry of Defence, General Staff, and head of housing and maintenance department. PHOTOS As part of the "Dishonest Procurement" programme, law enforcement officers uncovered schemes involving the misappropriation and overpayment of fuel for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which caused the state more than 30 million hryvnias in losses. 2 530 8 Previously in trend: Fuel supply to AFU
Major of military unit under suspicion over 11.6 million hryvnias of illegal "combat" funds. PHOTO Illegal "combat" payments and salaries for non-existent military personnel - a major in a military unit is suspected of abuse and negligence amounting to over 11.6 million hryvnias. 3 606 16 Previously in trend: Corruption in MoD
Two infantrymen from 60th Mechanised Brigade returned from their positions after 143 and 99 days of continuous combat. PHOTOS Soldiers from the 60th Separate Mechanised Ingulets Brigade returned from positions where they had been defending for 143 and 99 days. 12 692 49 Previously in trend: Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers withdraw from positions
"Memory is not violation": Ukrainian defenders launched flash mob in support of Heraskevych. PHOTOS Defenders of the Defence Forces supported the Ukrainian Olympic team, which reminds the world of all the athletes killed by Russia. 5 027 8 Previously in trend: Helmet of remembrance at Heraskevych’s performance
Palisa after visit to front: brigades receive direct reinforcements under Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s HQ decision. PHOTOS Deputy Head of the President’s Office, Pavlo Palisa, visited a number of corps and brigades on the frontline. 8 027 40 Previously in trend: Corps system in AFU
Strengthening defenses and preserving soldiers’ lives: Syrskyi meets with combat unit commanders. PHOTOS Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi held a working meeting with commanders of military units directly carrying out combat missions at the front. 2 048 16 Previously in trend: Situation at front
Kyiv police shut down fraudulent scheme involving pseudo-production of drones for Armed Forces of Ukraine. PHOTOS Kyiv police have shut down a fraudulent scheme involving the pseudo-production of drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine; two participants have been served notices of suspicion. 2 099 15 Previously in trend: Scandals with procurement for AFU
Syrskyi on first year of AFU first medical battalion: full staffing, 100 km of frontline, and lives saved. PHOTOS Over the past year, the 1st Separate Medical Battalion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) has completed the full path of development, from formation and personnel training to systematic work directly in the combat zone, providing medical coverage for about 100 kilometers of the frontline. 3 286 3 Previously in trend: 1st Separate Medical Battalion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Military medicine
Christmas spirit lives on: soldiers of "Rubizh" brigade celebrated Christmas Eve on front line. PHOTOS Soldiers from the "Rubizh" Brigade showed how they celebrate Christmas Eve right on the front lines. 2 952 14 Previously in trend: Christmas in Ukraine
"Heavenly retribution": two artillery installations unveiled in Kyiv on Rocket Forces and Artillery Day. PHOTOS To mark Rocket Forces and Artillery Day, two artillery-themed installations were unveiled on the Alley of the Defenders of Ukraine in Kyiv. 2 579 6
Case has been sent to court: Seven members of scheme supplied defective beds to army at inflated prices. PHOTO Prosecutors from the Vinnytsia Specialized Defense Prosecutor’s Office of the Southern Region have sent an indictment to court against seven individuals accused of embezzling more than ₴2.7 million from the defense budget during the procurement of army beds. 1 513 2 Previously in trend: Abuse in defence sector
General Staff confirmed hit on Russian "Elektrodetal" plant in Bryansk region. PHOTO The General Staff of Ukraine confirmed the hit on of the Russian "Elektrodetal" plant in the Bryansk region of the Russian Federation. It is known that the company manufactures products for military use. 3 597 8 Previously in trend: Striking Russia
Over 10,000 convicts released from prison on parole for mobilisation into the Defence Forces. PHOTO More than 10,000 convicts have been released on parole for mobilisation to the Ukrainian Defence Forces. 115 790 26 Previously in trend: Mobilization of convicts
Girls sign "Contract 18-24" for first time: They will serve as UAV operators in 92nd SAB. PHOTO For the first time under the "Contract 18-24" program, girls have signed up. They joined the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade (SAB) named after Ivan Sirko. 8 555 24 Previously in trend: Contract 18-24 Women in AFU
Soldier of 46th SAB Volodymyr Kostenko (Vepr) killed in battle with Russian occupiers. PHOTO A soldier of 46th Separate Airmobile Brigade (SAB), Volodymyr Kostenko (Vepr), was killed defending Ukraine. 4 308 11 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine
210th Separate Assault Regiment company commander Artem Sviridov was killed in action. PHOTO On August 28, Captain Artem Sviridov, commander of the 2nd Assault Company of the 1st Battalion, 210th Separate Assault Regiment, was killed in action while carrying out a combat mission. 7 542 12 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine
Soldier killed in battle few days before his father’s return from three years in Russian captivity. PHOTO The sad news came from the Zaporizhzhia sector: a soldier, Yaroslav Boichuk, son of the famous Mariupol defender Oleksandr Boichuk, was killed while performing a combat mission. 5 511 7 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine
Ukrainian forces repel Russian assault near Dobropillia and launch counterattack, closing in on occupiers. PHOTO Ukrainian forces have repelled a Russian advance near Dobropillia in Donetsk region and launched a counterattack, putting thousands of occupying troops at risk of encirclement. 15 318 36 Previously in trend: Situation in the Donetsk region
Asman Hadzhyiev killed during combat mission. PHOTO On the front line, during a combat mission, 2025 graduate of the Odesa Military Academy, Asman Hadzhyiev, was killed in action. 12 839 14 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine
20-year-old servicewoman Anhelina Martyniuk killed in battles for Ukraine. PHOTO During a combat mission near Pokrovsk in Donetsk region, 20-year-old servicewoman Anhelina Martyniuk was killed. 17 366 30 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine Women in AFU
"12414 f*ck off": Ukrainian defenders on front line on scandalous law against NABU and SAPO. PHOTO Ukrainian defenders on the front line reacted to the signed scandalous draft law No. 12414 on the elimination of the powers of the NABU and the SAPO. 7 010 27 Previously in trend: Abolition of NABU and SAPO independence
Kellogg visits National Guard training sites: Ukrainian defenders’ experience valuable for other armies. PHOTOS As part of his visit to Ukraine, U.S. President’s Special Envoy, General Keith Kellogg, together with the Commander of the National Guard of Ukraine, Oleksandr Pivnenko, visited the training facilities of the National Guard of Ukraine. 3 113 4 Previously in trend: Kellogg’s visit to Kyiv
Attempt to blow up Ukrainian soldier: two Russian agents detained in Kharkiv, - SSU. PHOTOS The Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police detained two Russian agents who tried to carry out a terrorist attack against a Ukrainian soldier in Kharkiv. 2 912 17 Previously in trend: Recruited FSB agents
"Shablia" combat module with grenade launcher approved for use in Armed Forces – Defense Ministry. PHOTO The Defence Ministry has codified and approved the remotely operated combat module "SHABLIA MK19(M)" for use in the Armed Forces. 3 542 13 Previously in trend: Production of Ukrainian equipment Codification of weapons
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