New Salary Thresholds Introduced for Military Draft Deferments in Ukraine

Overhaul of Military Reservist Deferment Rules

According to ХВИЛЯ: The Ukrainian government has revised the regulations governing the deferment of military reservists and the operations of critical enterprises. Under the updated requirements, authorities must verify that businesses meet the established criteria by July 1st. A key change is that, starting September 1, 2023, an employee's eligibility for deferment will be tied to their salary level.

What Businesses Need to Know

The new rules introduce minimum salary floors for deferment eligibility:

• In most regions, the minimum wage threshold is set at 25,941 hryvnias;
• For frontline areas, the threshold is 21,618 hryvnias;
• State and municipal institutions are exempt from the salary requirement;
• Workers can only be deferred from conscription at one place of employment;
• Individual entrepreneurs are not eligible for deferment.

Previously issued deferment permits will remain valid until September 1, 2026. Current criticality statuses and deferments stay in effect during the verification period, giving companies and employees time to adjust. As part of a two-phase army reform, the Ministry of Defense will also update the Reserve+ application to improve resource management.

Broader military and mobilization changes include new approaches to staffing rear-echelon positions, with minimum pay starting at 30,000 hryvnias. Frontline infantry soldiers can earn between 250,000 and 400,000 hryvnias, reflecting increased compensation. Priority will be given to recruiting specific specialists such as medics, drivers, IT experts, and communication officers, highlighting a focus on critical skill sets.

These adjustments aim to streamline the deferment process for reservists while supporting vital enterprises during wartime. By introducing salary thresholds, the government may push businesses to raise wages in order to retain skilled staff. The phased implementation allows the economy to stay stable while helping the military build a more effective mobilization framework.

These recent changes reflect a broader trend in Ukraine's military policies, highlighting the government's commitment to adapt to the ongoing challenges. For more insights into the newly established salary requirement of 25,941 hryvnias for employee reservations, you can read more in our detailed article on the topic here.