Court Rejects Million-Hryvnia Payout for Soldier Freed from Captivity

Ruling by the Dnipropetrovsk District Administrative Court

According to Главком: The Dnipropetrovsk District Administrative Court has upheld a military unit of the National Guard of Ukraine's decision to deny a one-time monetary award of 1 million hryvnias to a former soldier who was released from captivity. The refusal was based on the fact that, at the time Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 153 took effect, the plaintiff was no longer serving as an active-duty military member.

Case Details

The plaintiff signed a contract with a National Guard unit on June 7, 2022, and was freed from Russian captivity in July 2024. He received combat veteran status on August 30, 2024, but was removed from the personnel roster on September 13, 2024. In December 2025, the former serviceman filed a request with the unit for the financial reward, citing Resolution No. 153, issued by the Cabinet of Ministers on February 11, 2025. Under this resolution, a key requirement for eligibility is that the individual must be actively serving in the military at the time the document comes into force.

In January 2026, the plaintiff was denied the payment. The grounds for rejection were that, at the time of his request, he was not a military serviceman, as he had been out of the armed forces for over five months by February 13, 2025. The court ruled the military unit's refusal lawful and dismissed all of the plaintiff's claims in full.

The court further emphasized that the mere facts of enlisting before age 25, directly participating in combat, and being held captive do not alone justify the payout unless all other conditions of the resolution are satisfied.

Consequently, the court's decision underscores the need to adhere to legal requirements governing payments to military personnel, while also highlighting the complexities of obtaining compensation in cases tied to release from captivity. This ruling may affect other servicemen in similar situations, as it sets a precedent where meeting formal criteria is critical for securing financial awards. Clear regulations in this area could help prevent such legal disputes in the future.