Today, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine presented a text that describes in detail the large-scale reform of the military service system in Ukraine that has been widely discussed before . The main goal set by President V. Zelenskyy for the Ministry of Defense is to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities through additional financial incentives and increasing trust in the army by establishing clear terms of service and new short-term contracts.
Therefore, the main attention is paid to the introduction of new types of contracts (for civilians and active military personnel) with clearly defined terms of service in the army and a significant increase in cash support up to 460 thousand UAH. for infantrymen on the front line and participating in offensive operations. An important innovation is also a system of guaranteed deferrals , the duration of which directly depends on the time spent in the combat zone. In addition, additional financial bonuses are provided for the destruction of enemy equipment and the capture of occupiers.
In this article, we will analyze all the details of the new types of contracts, the “10/20/40” payment mechanisms, and the unique “window” for returning from the NWCH. We will also explain in detail the new mechanisms for automatic transfer between units through the digital application “Army+” and the simplified procedure for voluntary return to service for those who previously left units (military NWCH).
The Contract Revolution: Scheduleable Deadlines
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine not only announced new changes in May, but also began to act with large-scale changes in the process of military service, and the first change that fundamentally changes the rules of the game for active military and civilians, which has been awaited for so long, is clear terms of service , which are becoming the basis of the transformation aimed at strengthening infantry and combat units.
The headache of many defenders — “uncertainty” — will now be a thing of the past. To finally resolve this issue, the Ministry of Defense is introducing three main types of fixed-term contracts, which will replace those who will be released after serving their term since the first days of the war:
Infantry Assault Contract (Shortest Terms)
This type of contract is designed for the most risky specialties: infantrymen, assault troops, combat medics, driver mechanics and consists of:
- 14 months for civilians;
- 10 months – for active military personnel;
- 6+ months – for those who have already been released during the special period, but decided to return.
Combat and Base Contracts
- Combat contract (24 months): for UAV pilots, electronic warfare operators, gunners, and NRC specialists.
- Basic contract (24 months): for positions in the rear and support units.
Monetary support: How much will military personnel receive?
The payment system becomes transparent and depends on the actual presence of “zero”.
A phenomenal infantryman’s salary of $7,000-10,000
According to the new rules, the average salary of an assault infantryman is 300,000 UAH per month , and the maximum amount can reach 460,000 UAH . The payment consists of a base (20,000 UAH) and additional rewards according to the “10/20/40” principle :
- 10,000 UAH/day — for work in combat positions (VOP);
- 20,000 UAH/day — for search and rescue operations, reconnaissance or evacuation;
- 40,000 UAH/day — for participation in assault operations with forward movement.
To confirm combat missions, the mission control system is used , which minimizes the human factor in estimating the number of days on the battlefield and the bureaucracy involved in processing payments to the card as compensation.
Other additional bonuses and payments
- 100,000 UAH for each captured enemy.
- 15,000 UAH — for destroying an invader in close combat.
- 27,000 – 33,000 UAH — one-time payment upon signing the first contract.
- From 20,000 UAH – annual health care allowance.
Post-service leave: How to calculate your vacation?
An important part of the reform is the right to a long deferment after the end of the contract. The principle is: “The more you fight, the longer you rest . “
For 6+, 10 and 14 month contracts:
- Guaranteed base — 6 months .
- +3 months of deferment for each month of combat missions.
- +6 months for each year of service from 2022 (until signing a new contract).
Example: If a civilian serves 14 months, 10 of which will be spent “on combat duty,” he will be entitled to a 3-year deferment .
Digitalization: Transfer to “Army+” and return from the North-Eastern Front
Automatic transfers – with changes from 2026, it is allowed to automatically transfer to another unit once a year through the “Army+” application without additional approvals, if the transfer occurs within the same corps (sector of responsibility).
The functionality will be available within a week, approximately on the 20th of June 2026.
Chance of return (SZCH)
Military personnel who left service before June 11, 2026 are given a 100-day “window” for voluntary return.
- Without “BREZs” and courts: you can choose one of the TOP-50 best units through “Army+”.
- “On the way” status: a special status will appear in the application to confirm your return during checkpoint checks.
- Resumption of payments: the cash benefit is returned on the day of enrollment in the new part.
Read also: Bill 15231: New model of military service and active reserve — what awaits Ukrainians?
Result
For now, we can only make an interim summary of the start of the transformation of the Defense Forces at the initiative of the President and the new Minister of Defense M. Fedorov . We will see how it will end later, when the Verkhovna Rada will have the first attempt by the state to document the promises and create a fair recruitment model that will work in practice, where a soldier will know how much he will earn, when he will return home, and how he can change units using a smartphone.
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