Servicemembers will receive new payments as early as July, regardless of whether they sign new contract - Defense Ministry

Service members will receive new incentive payments as early as July, regardless of whether they sign a new contract. It was announced by the Ministry of Defense, the Ukrainian News agency reports.

Specifically, the Ministry of Defense states that Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 768 of June 12 introduced a new system of incentive payments and allowances, with the provisions taking effect on June 1, 2026 — meaning that everyone who served and carried out combat missions in June will receive the new payments as early as July.

Who will receive the new payments?

The new payments do not depend on whether a service member has signed a new contract. Everyone is eligible—including those who have signed an incentive contract, those serving under conscription during mobilization, and those serving under an old contract. The type of military service does not matter.

What payments and how much?

All service members, regardless of their contract, will receive:

additional compensation — UAH 10,000 per month for those stationed in the rear who support units and do not receive combat bonuses; a minimum monthly payment — starting at UAH 30,000;

combat bonuses — paid daily for each day of assault operations, specifically:

UAH 20,000 per day — for the recapture of positions seized by the enemy deep within the defending forces’ lines;

UAH 40,000 per day — for storming and capturing positions directly on the front line or deep within the enemy’s defensive lines.

If a service member is entitled to multiple bonuses on the same day — for example, for regaining (recovering) positions or for assault operations — the bonus with the higher amount is paid.

Additional compensation for completing tasks, particularly those related to troop command, is calculated proportionally based on the time spent performing these tasks during the month:

UAH 50,000 per month — for performing combat tasks at the command posts of brigades, regiments, and battalions from which operational command of combat units is conducted;

UAH 30,000 per month — for performing other combat (special) missions.

The total amount of all these payments may not exceed UAH 460,000 per month.

In addition, bonuses for combat performance may be received in excess of the above-mentioned limit:

UAH 100,000 — for each enemy servicemember taken prisoner; the amount is distributed among all those who directly participated in the capture;

UAH 15,000 — for each enemy killed in rifle or hand-to-hand combat, provided this is confirmed by video footage.

When the money will be paid?

The Ministry of Defense notes that payments under this resolution are calculated together with the basic pay — by the 20th of the current month for the previous month, i.e., for June — by July 20.

The above payments and bonuses for capturing or eliminating the enemy are paid based on an order from the military unit commander — similar to the existing mechanism for paying combat bonuses. The order is issued for the previous month, and the payment — along with the basic monetary allowance — is made by the 20th of the following month.

In other words:

those who were in the rear in June will receive additional compensation (at least +UAH 10,000) by July 20;

those who stormed enemy positions in June will receive combat bonuses after the commander signs the order for June; payment will be made in July, provided the order is signed on time;

those who captured or eliminated an enemy in close combat in June will receive a bonus based on the commander’s order in July.

If the order for June is signed late for reasons beyond the servicemember’s control, the payment will be included in the next order; the right to payment is not lost in this case.

The Ministry of Defense explains what a motivational contract offers.

In particular, it notes that everyone receives the new combat payments — regardless of whether they have a contract — but a motivational contract offers what conscripted service does not:

a fixed term of service — 10 and 14 months for infantry and assault troops, 24 months for combat and logistical specialists: upon completion of the term, there is a guaranteed right to discharge if the soldier does not wish to continue;

a deferment after service — at least 6 months, or longer depending on the number of months spent in combat positions and the total length of service starting in 2022;

A one-time payment upon signing the first contract — ranging from UAH 26,624 to UAH 33,280, depending on military rank.

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the Cabinet of Ministers is set to begin paying the first new bonuses to military personnel as early as June.  

On June 12, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced that the Cabinet of Ministers had approved a package of resolutions launching the first phase of a comprehensive transformation of the military service system.

Starting June 15, individuals can sign new infantry-assault, combat, or basic contracts for military service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and other components of the Defense Forces.

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