Salary Threshold Raised to 25,941 UAH: Ukraine’s Cabinet Updates Military Reservation Rules

Changes to the Procedure for Reserving Conscription-Eligible Personnel

According to Главком: On May 20, 2026, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted Resolution No. 635, amending the rules for reserving individuals eligible for military service. The amendments took effect on May 22. Key updates include:

• An increase in the salary threshold for critical enterprises to 25,941 UAH;
• New regulations for tracking part-time employees;
• A broad review of critical enterprise designations, to be completed by September 1.

Under the new rules, the salary threshold for critical enterprises has been raised to 25,941 UAH-equivalent to three minimum wages. Previously, the threshold was 2.5 times the minimum wage, or 21,618 UAH. However, the old threshold remains in effect for enterprises located in front-line territories and areas of active hostilities. The provisions regarding part-time employee tracking will take effect around mid-June, ten days after the resolution’s official publication.

Reactions and Commentary

Ministries, central executive bodies, and regional military administrations (OVAs) have been given one month to reapprove criticality criteria in coordination with the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Economy. All enterprises previously designated as critical must undergo re-verification by September 1. Those that lose their critical status are prohibited from reapplying for it for at least six months.

“The innovations aim to make the reservation tool more precise, applying it only to enterprises and employees that genuinely meet critical needs.” - Oleksiy Sobolev

On the other hand, a business association expressed concern, noting that “raising the salary threshold mid-year could create serious challenges for certain industries and regions.” Lawyer Danylo Tryasov of the Leshchenko & Partners law firm also highlighted that “any changes will cause stress and complicate operational planning.”

People’s Deputy Oleksandr Fediienko raised questions about the real economy, stating that the situation is not as optimistic as it seems and that “where businesses operate without state funding, things are far from rosy.” Legal advisor Ruslan Sokol added that “the state has been declaring a course toward de-shadowing since 2011, but a culture of transparent tax payment has yet to become the norm.”

The changes also aim to refine criticality criteria across sectors. For example, non-agricultural enterprises must demonstrate annual foreign currency revenue exceeding 32 million euros or tax payments exceeding 1.5 million euros per year. In the agricultural sector, criteria include cultivating at least 1,000 hectares or meeting corresponding business activity volumes.

Overall, the new reservation rules are designed to make the system more targeted and efficient, though their implementation may face certain hurdles.

The updated military reservation procedures reflect the Ukrainian government’s efforts to adapt to the country’s wartime economic conditions. Raising the salary threshold and clarifying criticality criteria could affect enterprise stability, especially in regions hit hard by economic difficulties. However, implementing these changes may require time and effort from businesses to confirm their status, potentially creating short-term challenges.

In light of these recent changes, it is essential to understand how the Cabinet's decision aligns with ongoing efforts to refine military reservation practices. For instance, the new measures come alongside a tightening of rules regarding the deferment of military-age workers, which aims to address similar concerns about workforce management in critical sectors. To explore these adjustments further, you can read more about the updated regulations on deferring military obligations.