Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced the launch of a comprehensive transformation of military service, including new contracts, service terms, and increased pay.
“On the implementation of the task set by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the government has launched a comprehensive transformation of military service. Clear terms of service, new contracts, higher salaries for military personnel at the front and in the rear, and recruitment reform. The key principle is respect for every servicemember. A person must know where they serve, how long they serve, and what comes next,” Svyrydenko wrote on Telegram.
Clear terms of service, fair pay, and a guarantee of deferment after contract completion — the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine is launching a comprehensive transformation of military service.
At the first stage, it includes several areas:
- New contracts with clearly defined service terms
- Increased payments
- Post-contract deferments
- Automatic approval of transfer requests via the “Army+” system
- A new mechanism for returning from unauthorized absence (AWOL/SZCh)
The priority is to strengthen trust in military service and preserve the frontline by reinforcing infantry and combat units.
Ukrainian defenders will be able to sign contracts with fair pay and clearly defined terms of service, after which they will be guaranteed the right to a deferment.
The highest payments are provided for infantry positions at the front line. Those who risk their lives deserve fair compensation. The most dangerous work in the Defense Forces of Ukraine now has clearly defined service terms and decent pay.
This contract covers service in positions such as infantry soldiers, assault troops, combat medics, gunners, driver-mechanics, and others, according to the list of positions and military units approved by the Ministry of Defense.
Service terms:
- 14 months – for civilians
- 10 months – for active military personnel
- 6+ months – for servicemembers discharged during a special period
The average salary of an infantry soldier will be 300,000 UAH per month. The maximum amount will not exceed 460,000 UAH.
Additional payments:
- 10,000 UAH per day – for performing tasks directly at combat positions at the platoon strongpoint level
- 20,000 UAH per day – for assault-search operations (destroying small enemy groups, reconnaissance, evacuation, and recapturing positions)
- 40,000 UAH per day – for assault operations involving forward advances
These additional payments also apply to defenders carrying out combat missions involving holding and assaulting positions, including those on positions but who have not signed contracts.
To confirm the presence of servicemembers at specific times and locations, a “mission control” system will be used.
If a servicemember on an infantry-assault contract is temporarily in the rear—on assignment or leave—they receive an additional 10,000 UAH on top of the base payment. Thus, they will receive at least 30,000 UAH per month.
Combat contract
Designed for UAV pilots, operators of ground robotic systems, electronic warfare specialists, artillery personnel, and others. Contract duration: 24 months.
Regarding pay: the closer a servicemember is to the front line, the higher the salary. Minimum is 30,000 UAH, maximum is 120,000 UAH per month.
Payments consist of a 20,000 UAH base salary plus additional bonuses for performing combat (special) tasks.
Monthly bonuses:
- 30,000 UAH – administrative and support positions
- 50,000 UAH – command posts
- 100,000 UAH – combat operations
If a servicemember on a combat contract is temporarily on assignment or leave, an additional 10,000 UAH is added to the base, ensuring a minimum of 30,000 UAH per month.
Basic contract
Designed for non-combat positions. Duration: 24 months.
Servicemembers under this contract will receive at least 30,000 UAH per month.
Payments consist of a 20,000 UAH base salary plus additional bonuses for completed combat tasks.
For rear service: base + 10,000 UAH.
For combat tasks in headquarters, command posts, or participation in combat operations—additional payments apply. Maximum is up to 120,000 UAH per month, as in the combat contract.
While performing combat tasks at the front line, bonuses are calculated like in the infantry-assault contract. There is also an option to transfer to combat or infantry-assault contracts.
Additional payments under new contracts:
- 100,000 UAH – for each captured enemy
- 15,000 UAH – for each enemy killed in close or small-arms combat
Defenders signing a contract for the first time will receive between 27,000–33,000 UAH depending on rank.
An annual wellness payment of at least 20,000 UAH is also available.
Important: for graduates of military academies who have not yet completed their mandatory service under their first contract, new contracts cannot be shorter than the remaining required service term.
Post-contract deferments
New contracts include clearly defined service terms with the right to a deferment, allowing soldiers to return to their families for an extended period.
The length of deferment is calculated under the principle: “the longer you served, the longer the deferment.”
Contracts of 6+, 10, and 14 months
A guaranteed base deferment of 6 months is provided. After that, participation in combat and total service length are taken into account:
- +3 months for each month of combat service
- +6 months for each year of service from 2022 until signing the new contract
- +1 month for each year of service before 2022
Example: if a civilian signs a 14-month contract and spends 10 months in combat, they may receive a 3-year deferment.
If an active servicemember signs a 10-month contract, spends 2 months in combat, and previously had 2 years of service since 2022, they may receive a 2-year deferment.
24-month contracts
A guaranteed base deferment of 6 months is also provided. With combat participation and total service time:
- +1 day for each day of combat service
- +1 month for each year of service before 2022
The total deferment duration is determined by the sum of all applicable factors.
All details regarding the new contracts, service terms, and financial support are available at the link.
