Fresh Contract Terms Unveiled for Ukraine’s Armed Forces
Ukrainian service members are now receiving drafts of new contracts, previously announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. The documents outline a detailed payment matrix, updated service periods, and a deferral mechanism following demobilization. Lawmaker Oleksiy Honcharenko made this information public, shedding light on the government’s latest effort to restructure military service agreements amid the ongoing war.
Key Provisions of the Updated Contracts
Under the new terms, standard monthly pay for enlisted personnel starts at 30,000 hryvnias (approximately $800). Soldiers who sign a contract will also receive an annual bonus of 27,000 hryvnias, plus an additional 10,000 hryvnias each month. Capturing enemy positions earns a daily rate of 40,000 hryvnias, while holding or retaking positions pays 20,000 hryvnias per day. Missions on the front line are compensated at 8,700 hryvnias daily, and eliminating an adversary brings a 25,000 hryvnia reward. In case of capture, troops will receive a one-time payment of 250,000 hryvnias.
Only active combat personnel in rifle companies are eligible for one-year contracts. Two-year or longer agreements will be open to all military categories and civilian recruits. The rollout is planned in three stages:
- Phase one covers troops in primary combat units up to company level, including mechanized, motorized infantry, assault, air assault, marine infantry, and special operations forces.
- Phase two includes other combat units, the Navy, Unmanned Systems Forces, missile and artillery units, aviation, air defense missile forces, and radio-technical troops.
- Phase three applies to personnel in command, logistics, medical units, territorial recruitment centers, social support centers, and military educational institutions.
Those who sign contracts for two years or longer will qualify for a deferment after discharge. For each month of combat missions, they earn three months of exemption from conscription.
These changes could significantly boost troop motivation and strengthen Ukraine’s armed forces, as improved financial incentives may attract more service members to contract-based service. With the conflict ongoing, the revised contract system also aims to ensure military stability and readiness. Additional bonuses for battlefield achievements are expected to encourage active engagement on the front lines, a critical factor in sustaining the country’s defense capabilities.