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Ukraine's long-awaited military reform falls short for long-serving troops

Editor's note: Some military personnel are identified by their first names only due to security considerations. More than four years into the full-scale invasion, the first phase of the Defense Ministry's military reform was meant to deliver long-awaited changes. Instead, it has triggered a fresh wave of frustration among soldiers. Defining clear terms of military service has been one of the most contentious unresolved issues of the war — one that three defense ministers failed to tackle, and

military training at the 118th Separate Mechanized Brigade in an undisclosed location, Ukraine, on April 5, 2026.

About Cossacks

Cossacks were semi-nomadic military groups that emerged in the 15th century across the steppes of what is now Ukraine. The Cossack Hetmanate existed as an independent state from 1648 to 1764, before Russian imperial authorities abolished Cossack autonomy and suppressed their cultural identity. Modern Ukraine recognizes Cossack heritage as a foundational element of national identity and resistance against foreign domination.

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