Ukraine has approved new rules to formally recruit foreign volunteers into its military, allowing only vetted, Ukrainian-registered companies to enlist candidates as it seeks to address manpower shortages after more than four years of war with Russia.

Under the new framework, the government will pay accredited companies up to 300,000 hryvnias (about $7,400) for each recruit they successfully bring into military service. The payments will be made in stages. 

According to Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, companies seeking accreditation must submit an application and the required documentation. Only those that meet the government’s eligibility criteria and provide a 5 million-hryvnia (about $123,000) security deposit will be added to the official registry.

Svyrydenko said the security deposit serves as a safeguard if a company violates the terms of its agreement. She added that companies will also be screened to ensure they are not subject to sanctions and have no ties to Russia before being added to the registry. The government will decide on applications within 10 business days.

Once accredited, the companies will guide foreign volunteers through every stage of the enlistment process, from initial recruitment to signing a contract with Ukraine’s armed forces. They will also assist with travel, documentation, insurance, housing and meals until recruits formally enter military service.

Svyrydenko said expanding the recruitment of foreign volunteers is a government priority.

“Fulfilling the President of Ukraine’s task of recruiting foreign volunteers is a priority for the government,” Svyrydenko said. “Ukraine’s Defense Forces already have experience integrating foreign volunteers into their ranks. We must scale this effort to the point where 30% to 50% of infantry and assault positions are filled by foreign volunteers.”

The decision comes after Ukraine last month unveiled a major overhaul of military compensation, introducing higher salaries, expanded combat bonuses and longer fixed-term contracts to attract more troops, including foreign volunteers.

Under the new package, infantry and assault troops can sign contracts lasting six to 14 months and earn an average monthly salary of 300,000 hryvnias (about $7,400), with pay rising to as much as 460,000 hryvnias (about $11,300), depending on the number of days spent on the front lines.

Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov described the package as the “highest salaries in the world for infantry.”

About 10,000 foreign volunteers from more than 70 countries have joined Ukraine’s armed forces since the war began, according to estimates by Ukrainian military publications.