Amid the ongoing military conflict, the issue of financial support for military personnel remains one of the key concerns for society. How exactly is the salary of a Ukrainian soldier formed, what allowances does it consist of, and what changes are being prepared in the near future — we analyze based on data from the National Bank of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defense.
How military pay is calculated
The amount of payments to a serviceman depends on several factors: military rank, position held, length of service, service conditions, and the nature of tasks performed. Payments begin from the date of mobilization — that is, from the moment when the territorial recruitment and social support center sent the person to a training center or directly to a unit.
Payments are made monthly. Unlike civilian employment, the army does not provide for a split between an advance and the main salary — funds are received in the current month for the previous one.
Allowances and additional payments
One of the significant elements of financial support is the allowance for length of service. It varies from 5% for one year of service to 50% for a tenure of 25 years or more.
In addition, during the period of martial law, servicemen may be granted additional remuneration ranging from 15,000 to 100,000 hryvnias — depending on service conditions and the specifics of tasks.
A one-time payment of 70,000 hryvnias is also provided. Separate payments are due for performing special tasks — for example, during naval operations, diving work, or parachute jumps.
Online calculator from the Ministry of Defense
To preliminarily calculate military pay, the Ministry of Defense has created a special online calculator. After entering the data, the system shows the approximate amount of monthly pay.
Similar principles for other formations
Similar payment rules apply in other law enforcement structures: the State Border Guard Service, the National Guard, the State Special Communications and Information Protection Service of Ukraine, as well as the State Guard Service. In these formations, financial support also consists of a salary by position, salary by rank, allowances, supplements, bonuses, and one-time payments.
Plans to increase payments
The authorities of Ukraine plan to increase the financial support for the military. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that minimum payments in the rear could rise to 30,000 hryvnias, and for servicemen at the front — on average to 300,000 hryvnias.
New contracts for infantrymen, increased payments for commanders, and simplified procedures for transferring between units are also being prepared. The first changes may come into force as early as June.