The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has detailed the transformation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which President Zelensky announced on June 12. The department has published the terms of contract service for various positions and the financial support for military personnel.
This is reported on the website of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
Financial Support for Military Personnel
Thus, monthly financial support for military personnel will increase:
- 30,000 hryvnias — basic financial support for rear positions — logistics personnel, clerks, mechanics outside the combat zone;
- 50,000 hryvnias — financial support for logistics personnel, clerks, mechanics in front-line areas;
- 70,000 hryvnias will be received by military personnel serving in command posts in combat zones;
- 120,000 hryvnias will be received by UAV pilots, operators, RPVs, artillery, EW specialists in combat positions.
Infantry and assault troops will receive up to 300,000 hryvnias. The Ministry of Defense noted that the additional payment will be calculated as follows: strike and reconnaissance operations — 20,000 hryvnias/day; on positions — 10,000 hryvnias/day; assault operations with forward movement — 40,000 hryvnias/day.
To ensure payments are “transparent,” the Ministry of Defense has approved Mission Control for assault troops and infantry. This means that confirmation of being in positions will be in place for guaranteed and transparent payments; faster identification of the location of the wounded or deceased for evacuation; and an overall increase in the manageability of units. In total, the department has identified over 160 indicators for detecting anomalies in personnel losses, equipment, territories, combat readiness, staffing timelines, etc.
Commanders of combat units will receive a doubling of their salaries. Thus, the salary of a brigade commander will increase to 150,000, and that of a corps commander — to 230,000.
New Contract Conditions for Military Personnel and Deferments
Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov spoke about new contracts for military personnel. Thus, the Ministry of Defense is introducing a new contract system with clear conditions and specific service terms:
- infantry-assault contract — for 14 months for civilians, for 10 months for active military personnel, and from six months for military personnel who previously retired from service;
- combat contract — for 24 months for UAV pilots, RPV operators, artillery personnel, EW specialists, and other combat specialties;
- basic contract — for 24 months for other service directions with the possibility of holding rear positions.
Each contract has a guaranteed deferment of at least six months. Deferment for military personnel is calculated based on the service term and time in combat. One month on the front line counts as three months of deferment.
For example, if an infantryman served 10 months, four of which were in combat, he receives a year and a half deferment. Service before the contract and before the full-scale invasion is also taken into account — all military experience grants the right to additional rest time. This was stated by Defense Minister Fedorov.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi noted that by the end of 2026, a gradual demobilization will begin for those who have spent the most time in combat positions and have served the longest in the Defense Forces of Ukraine.
Transfers and Returns from AWOL
Transfers will become fully automated and processed through the “Army+” application. Decisions on transfers should be made within 30 days. This algorithm can be used once a year.
Transfers will be permitted within a sector of the front. Within six months, up to 50 people from a brigade or regiment, and 10 from a separate battalion, will be allowed to transfer to another military unit. After transferring from one military unit to another, it is prohibited to transfer again to the next military unit within six months.
Additionally, until September 20, 2026, a project for voluntary return to service after AWOLUnauthorized absence from duty is in effect, with the option to choose a unit. This opportunity is provided to those who have recorded AWOL before June 11, 2026. The Ministry of Defense notes that after this period, measures to prosecute desertion will be intensified.
The Ministry of Defense noted that they aim to attract foreigners to assault and infantry troops — up to 50% are intended to be legionnaires. Private recruitment companies conduct recruitment, screening, selection, deliver future service members to Ukraine, and receive payments for each arrival who joins the army, the department reported.
Source: suspilne.media