Ukraine Aims to Fill Up to Half of Assault Infantry Positions With Foreign Recruits

Key Points:

• Ukraine plans to open its military recruitment to foreign nationals, aiming for them to fill 30-50% of assault and infantry roles to strengthen combat units and reduce strain on Ukrainian troops, according to Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
• The government intends to gradually release long-serving and combat-experienced Ukrainian soldiers from service by the end of the year, as part of a broader military transformation that will also overhaul recruitment and mobilization procedures.
• President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a major reform to boost defense funding, modernize military contracts, and introduce clearer service terms, with plans to raise salaries significantly, including a minimum of Hr.30,000 ($667) for rear-area service and up to Hr.300,000 ($6,667) for frontline infantry positions.
• The reforms aim to create an army with clearer rules, greater respect for service members, and stronger financial resilience, which Zelensky believes will enhance Ukraine's position to end the war successfully.
• Increased autonomy for combat brigades in training and staffing decisions has already shown positive results, laying the foundation for introducing fixed service terms and further military improvements expected to become visible over the summer.