I wish you health, dear Ukrainians!

This afternoon there was another massive attack by Russian drones – a significant number, more than 400 drones since the morning alone, more than two hundred of them are “shaheeds”. The density of the attack is high, and precisely because of this, although the percentage of downings is high – three hundred and eighty-eight drones were downed – there were still hits. Ternopil, Zhytomyr, Rivne region, Trostyanets in Vinnytsia region, other regions and our communities. We are strengthening all areas of defense. There are already solutions for the Dnieper – the military command and the Ministry of Defense analyze each attack and propose solutions. For the Dnieper – additional radars, electronic warfare, additional crews. There are also solutions for Odessa – there is already a higher percentage of downings, it is necessary – even higher. We are aware that the Russians are trying to bypass our air defense with the density of the attack and the intensity of the strikes. We will counter it. But we understand that stopping is impossible, this is not yet the result that is needed, it is not yet enough. Strengthening is needed more for our cities and villages. And it is important that we work with partners every day to ensure that there are components of air defense against missiles. In April, we ensured the necessary supply, and there were also new contributions to the PURL program. For May, the task is similar, and we will continue to look for opportunities for Ukraine to strengthen our defense, also through cooperation with those countries with which there was less cooperation before. We are bringing Ukrainian defense expertise to the global level. Every Ukrainian company, all our manufacturers, all our developers, the experience of our military in defense is a great Ukrainian asset. This force must only grow stronger, and I am very grateful to everyone who really helps with this.

Today I also held a meeting on army reform - we did a lot of work on this in April.

There were also meetings of the Headquarters, where we prepared the details, and our military worked separately - the Commander-in-Chief, the General Staff, the Minister of Defense, the team of the President's Office - thank you all, thank you for this work. Today we approved the format that will be implemented. The main thing is that our army is more adapted to the challenges. The fifth year of a full-scale war is what poses special tasks. First of all, in managing people, in motivating our soldiers.

First: the financial support for our military will be increased. In rear positions - no less than 30 thousand hryvnias per month. Combat positions - much more. The financial support of our combat commanders - sergeants and officers, battalion commanders, brigade commanders, corps commanders - will be increased - and significantly. In general, there should be more state respect for the experienced level of management in the army: Ukraine should provide real incentives so that people who know how to manage the army directly on the front line and in combat are interested in being in the army and feel that their experience is valued. The second aspect of the reform is new special conditions for the infantry. Everything rests on the shoulders of the infantrymen. Where our Ukrainian infantry is, there are also our Ukrainian positions. Of course, now there is such a war that it is impossible without drones, and kill zones, a line of drones have been created, most of the enemy's equipment and Russians' equipment are hit by drones. We will increase all types of supply and use of drones. Including middle strikes. Including NRC. But our positions are our infantrymen. On the front line, the strongest conditions must be provided for all infantry. This will also apply to financial support. I have set the task that the level of monthly contracts for infantrymen on the front line be at the level of 250-400 thousand hryvnias. And the third aspect is the terms of service, which can be made clear and defined thanks to the updated contract system. This is the most fundamental moral point. So that it is possible, in particular, to begin to dismiss from military service those people who were mobilized earlier. Now, in May, all aspects of the army reform must be finally approved: documents, regulations, finances.

I instructed the Minister of Defense and the military command, our Office team, to discuss the details of the reform with combat commanders in order to take into account all strong proposals and fully inform them about the changes. It is important that steps have already been taken that help the brigades. And the program is working very well in terms of direct financing of the brigades. It has been in place since last year. Solutions are also being worked on to provide combat brigades with guaranteed monthly personnel replenishment. There was also a very important change. All this will develop. There will also be simplification of transfers - there are appropriate solutions for this. And, of course, plus to this - a new significant stage of army reform. The task - now it is May - to finalize everything, and so that from June of this year the changes are there, and they are tangible.

And one more thing. We are also preparing a significant strengthening of the direction of our long-range sanctions – Ukrainian long-range systems. There will be solutions. There will be solutions on military education as well.

Glory to Ukraine!