Transformation of the Defence Forces of Ukraine: a comprehensive overview of new contracts, service durations, pay, and automatic transfers between units

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine is launching a comprehensive transformation of military service, introducing clearly defined service durations, fair pay, and guaranteed temporary discharge from military service upon contract completion.

In its first phase, the transformation covers several key areas:

1. New contracts with clearly defined service durations.
2. Increased pay.
3. Temporary discharge from military service upon contract completion.
4. Automatic approval of transfer requests through Army+.
5. A new procedure for returning to service after AWOL.

The priority is to strengthen trust in military service and sustain the front line by strengthening infantry and combat units.

Below is a detailed explanation of each area.

New contracts with clearly defined service durations

Ukrainian defenders will have the opportunity to sign contracts that provide fair pay, clearly defined service durations, and guaranteed temporary discharge from military service upon contract completion.

The highest pay is reserved for frontline infantry positions, reflecting the principle that those who risk their lives deserve fair compensation.

Detailed information is available on a dedicated website about the new contract system in the Defence Forces of Ukraine.

Assault infantry contract

The most demanding and highest-risk roles in the Defence Forces of Ukraine will now come with clearly defined service durations and competitive pay.

This contract covers service in positions such as infantry personnel, assault troops, combat medics, gunners, driver-mechanics, and other roles listed in the position and unit rosters approved by the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.

The following service durations apply:

• 14 months for civilians;
• 10 months for currently serving personnel;
• 6+ months for personnel discharged from military service during the special period.

The average monthly pay for an infantry service member will be UAH 300,000. The maximum amount is capped at UAH 460,000 per month.

Service remuneration consists of two components: a base rate of UAH 20,000 and additional remuneration under the “10/20/40” system.

Additional remuneration:

• UAH 10,000 per day for carrying out tasks directly from combat positions at platoon strongpoints;
• UAH 20,000 per day for strike-and-search operations (eliminating small enemy groups, reconnaissance, evacuation missions, and the recapture of friendly positions);
• UAH 40,000 per day for assault operations involving an advance.

These additional payments also apply to defenders who carry out combat missions to hold and assault positions and remain deployed at combat positions, even if they have not signed the new contracts.

Mission control will be used to record and verify service members’ presence at specific locations and times.

If a service member under an assault infantry contract is temporarily in the rear area — on temporary duty assignment or leave — an additional UAH 10,000 is paid on top of the base rate. As a result, they will receive at least UAH 30,000 per month.

Combat contract

The contract is intended for UAV pilots, unmanned ground system (UGV) operators, electronic warfare (EW) specialists, artillery personnel, and other military specialists. The contract duration is 24 months.

Remuneration: The closer a service member is to the front line, the higher the level of remuneration. The minimum monthly remuneration is UAH 30,000, while the maximum is UAH 120,000.

Service remuneration consists of a base rate of UAH 20,000 and additional remuneration for the execution of combat (special) tasks.

Additional remuneration per month:

• UAH 30,000 for personnel in command, management, and support positions;
• UAH 50,000 for personnel serving at command posts;
• UAH 100,000 for participation in combat operations.

If a service member under a combat contract is temporarily on a temporary duty assignment or on leave, an additional UAH 10,000 is paid on top of the base rate, ensuring a minimum monthly remuneration of UAH 30,000.

If they carry out combat tasks on the front line, additional remuneration is calculated under the “10/20/40” system.

Basic contract

The contract is intended for positions outside combat units. The contract duration is 24 months.

Ukrainian service members under this contract will receive at least UAH 30,000 per month.

Service remuneration consists of a base rate of UAH 20,000 and additional remuneration for completed combat tasks.

For service in rear areas, personnel receive the base rate plus UAH 10,000.

Additional remuneration is provided for combat tasks performed at headquarters, command posts, or through direct participation in combat operations. As under the combat contract, the maximum monthly remuneration is up to UAH 120,000.

When carrying out combat tasks on the front line, additional remuneration is calculated under the same rules as in the assault infantry contract. Service members may also transfer to either a combat contract or an assault infantry contract.

Additional remuneration under the new contracts

The following additional payments are available to service members:

• UAH 100,000 for each enemy combatant taken prisoner;
• UAH 15,000 for each enemy combatant killed in close combat or small-arms engagements.

Personnel signing a contract for the first time will receive a one-time payment ranging from UAH 27,000 to UAH 33,000, depending on military rank.

In addition, service members are eligible for annual financial assistance for health improvement of at least UAH 20,000.

Important note. For graduates of military educational institutions who, following graduation, have not yet completed the mandatory term of service under their initial contract, any new contract must be concluded for a period at least equal to the remaining obligated service term.

Temporary discharge from military service upon contract completion

The new contracts establish clearly defined service durations and provide for a period of temporary discharge from military service upon contract completion, allowing service members to spend extended time with their families.

The duration of the temporary discharge is determined according to a simple principle: the longer a service member serves in combat, the longer the period of temporary discharge.

Contracts of 6+, 10, and 14 months

A guaranteed base period of temporary discharge of six months is provided. The following factors are then taken into account: combat participation and total service time.

• +3 months for each month spent carrying out combat tasks;
• +6 months for each year of service from 2022 until the signing of the new contract;
• +1 month for each year of service before 2022.

For example, if a civilian signs a 14-month contract and spends 10 months carrying out combat tasks, they will become eligible for three years of temporary discharge from military service.

If a currently serving service member signs a 10-month contract, spends 2 months carrying out combat tasks, and has 2 years of prior service since 2022, they will become eligible for two years of temporary discharge from military service (6 months guaranteed + 6 months for combat service + 1 year for previous years of service).

24-month contracts

A guaranteed base period of temporary discharge of six months is also provided. The duration of the temporary discharge is further adjusted based on combat participation and total service time:

• +1 day for each day spent carrying out combat tasks;
• +1 month for each year of service before 2022.

The duration of the temporary discharge is determined based on the combined effect of all applicable criteria.

Automatic transfers within a corps via Army+

The transformation of the Defence Forces of Ukraine introduces a new mechanism that will allow Armed Forces of Ukraine personnel to transfer once per year within the same operational chain of command — that is, within the area of responsibility of the same corps.

The new procedure will apply to service members who meet all of the following criteria:

• hold a military rank up to and including Senior Sergeant;
• do not serve in officer positions;
• serve in a military unit that is part of a corps or has been temporarily assigned to the corps commander’s command;
• choose to transfer to a unit within the same corps area of responsibility.

Service members whose units do not fall within the areas of responsibility of Armed Forces of Ukraine corps will not be eligible under this procedure.

The functionality will become available in the Army+ app within one week.

A beta test will begin in selected corps before the solution is rolled out across the Defence Forces of Ukraine.

Temporary window for voluntary return to duty after AWOL under a new procedure

The transformation of the Defence Forces of Ukraine will allow service members who were listed as AWOL before the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine resolution enters into force to voluntarily return to duty within 100 days under a new procedure.

The state is opening a path back for those who left military service — without reserve battalions, without burdensome bureaucracy, and with the opportunity to choose a unit from a designated list through the updated functionality of the Army+ app.

100 days for simplified return to duty after AWOL

The mechanism will take effect on the date the relevant Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine resolution enters into force.

During the initial phase, it will be available to service members of:

• the Armed Forces of Ukraine;
• the State Special Transport Service of Ukraine.

The National Guard of Ukraine will join the mechanism at a later stage.

Service members may return only within the same military structure from which they went AWOL (for example, personnel who went AWOL from the Armed Forces of Ukraine may return only to the Armed Forces of Ukraine). Applications will be processed digitally, with verification completed within no more than seven calendar days.

The updated mechanism will remain available for 100 days from the date the Cabinet of Ministers resolution enters into force.

Those who do not take advantage of this opportunity will still be able to return under the previous procedure, which in practice involves longer processes through reserve battalions, court proceedings, and extended waiting periods for the restoration of service remuneration.

Return to duty after AWOL with assignment to one of 50+ top-performing units

Service members returning to duty may choose from 55 units ranked among the most effective according to the ePoints ratings in the DELTA situational awareness system. The list will be available in Army+.

To return to service, a request may be submitted through one of the following channels:

• the Army+ app;
• the 1st or 2nd Recruitment Center of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (for Armed Forces of Ukraine personnel only);
• directly to the selected unit (for Armed Forces of Ukraine and State Special Transport Service personnel).

For National Guard of Ukraine personnel, the option to submit a return-to-duty after AWOL request through Army+ will become available in the coming days.

There is no need to contact the previous unit. From the moment a request is submitted until the service member assumes their new position, support and individualized guidance will be provided at every stage of the process.

In particular, while traveling to their new duty station, service members will see an “En Route” status in the Army+ app, which will serve as confirmation of their return to military service (for example, at checkpoints).

Service remuneration, clothing, and gear support are reinstated on the day the service member is entered on the personnel roster of the new military unit. Meal provision is reinstated immediately upon the service member’s arrival at the military unit.

For six months after being assigned to a new unit, a service member may not be transferred without written consent.

The Ministry of Defence recognizes the need to implement an effective model for staffing the military. However, in the midst of a full-scale war, the challenges extend far beyond individual adjustments to mobilization procedures or service durations.

This is only the first stage of the comprehensive transformation of the Defence Forces of Ukraine. We are establishing fair and transparent rules that balance the interests of the state with those of its defenders.