The base
pay for a rank-and-file Ukrainian soldier stationed from the front line up
to 50 to 60 kilometers away should be at least UAH60,000 ($1,365), Col. Yurii
Bereza, commander of the Dnipro-1 battalion, told NV Radio on May 11.
“When the defense minister says he will raise pay or is considering raises only for assault units — that’s wrong,” Bereza said, referring to Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov outlining changes to military pay coming in a sweeping recruitment reform.
“Only for certain units — that’s wrong. We have 1,500 kilometers of contact line. We need to move away from this gradation of who ‘holds’ the front. From the front line up to 50–60 kilometers, where there is direct danger and enemy drones can reach, the base [pay] should be UAH60,000.”
He stressed that ensuring soldiers’ economic needs, so they
don’t have to borrow money before payday to buy cigarettes, a new bit of kit, or
other items needed to fight, is essential.