The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine is launching a comprehensive transformation of military service. This includes introducing contracts with clearly defined terms, a new monetary allowance system, guaranteed deferrals after contract completion, automated transfers via the Army+ app, and an updated procedure for the return of servicemen from AWOL.

These changes are meant to make military service more predictable, understandable, and fair for both current servicemen and for civilians deciding to join the Defense Forces. Special emphasis is placed on strengthening infantry and combat units, which carry out tasks in the most difficult sections of the front.

Five key directions of the transformation
At the first stage, the new model covers “5 main directions”:

1. introducing new contracts with clear service terms;
2. increasing payments for servicemen;
3. guaranteeing deferral after contract completion;
4. automatic approval of transfer reports via Army+;
5. a new mechanism for the return of servicemen from AWOL.

In effect, this isn't about a targeted update of individual procedures, but an attempt to change the very logic of military service: from uncertainty to clear terms, from complex bureaucracy to digital solutions, from flat-rate payments to differentiated compensation depending on risk and the nature of tasks.

The infantry-assault contract — the highest payments
A separate place in the new system is occupied by the “infantry-assault contract.” It's intended for servicemen who will serve as infantrymen, assault troops, combat medics, spotters, driver-mechanics, and other specialists, according to the lists of positions and military units approved by the Ministry of Defense.

For this type of contract, different service terms are set depending on the person's status:

• 14 months — for civilians;
• 10 months — for active servicemen;
• 6+ months — for military personnel who were discharged from service during the special period.

The average salary of a serviceman on the “infantry-assault contract” should be UAH 300,000 per month. The maximum amount is capped at up to UAH 460,000.

The payment system will consist of two parts: a base rate of UAH 20,000 and additional bonuses under the “10/20/40” principle. This principle is directly tied to the nature of the combat task.

The additional payments under the “10/20/40” principle provide for:

• UAH 10,000 per day — for carrying out tasks directly at combat positions at the platoon strongpoint level;
• UAH 20,000 per day — for participation in strike-search operations, including destroying small enemy groups, reconnaissance, evacuation, and retaking one's own positions;
• UAH 40,000 per day — for assault operations with forward advance.

Importantly, these additional rewards will apply not only to those who sign new contracts. They will also be available to servicemen who carry out combat tasks of holding and assaulting positions, remain at positions but haven't signed a new contract.

To confirm a serviceman's presence at a specific location at a specific time, a “mission control” system will be applied. This is meant to tie payments more closely to the actual performance of tasks.

If a serviceman on the “infantry-assault contract” is temporarily in the rear, on a business trip, or on leave, an additional UAH 10,000 will be added to the base rate. That is, the minimum amount in such a case will be from UAH 30,000 per month.

Combat contract: for operators, artillerymen, EW specialists, and other combat specialties
The second type is the “combat contract.” It's designed for servicemen who perform tasks in combat or near-combat positions. Such specialties include UAV pilots, ground robotic system operators, electronic warfare specialists, artillerymen, and other military specialists.

The term of the combat contract will be 24 months.

The amount of payments will depend on how close the serviceman is to the front line. The minimum level of monetary allowance is set at UAH 30,000 per month, the maximum — UAH 120,000 per month.

As with other contract types, payments consist of a base rate of UAH 20,000 and additional rewards for carrying out combat or special tasks.

The following additional monthly rewards are provided:

• UAH 30,000 — for management and support positions;
• UAH 50,000 — at command posts;
• UAH 100,000 — directly in combat.

If a serviceman on a combat contract is temporarily on a business trip or on leave, another UAH 10,000 is added to the base UAH 20,000. So the minimum they'll receive is UAH 30,000 per month.

If a serviceman on the “combat contract” performs tasks on the front line, the “10/20/40” principle will also apply to them, similar to the “infantry-assault contract.”

Basic contract: service outside combat units
The third type is the basic contract. It's intended for positions outside combat units and will be signed for 24 months. The minimum payment for servicemen under this contract will be at least UAH 30,000 per month.

The payment formula is the same: a base rate of UAH 20,000 plus additional rewards depending on the tasks completed.

For rear-area service, a base of UAH 20,000 and a bonus of UAH 10,000 are provided. If a serviceman carries out combat tasks at headquarters, command posts, or takes part in combat operations, they may receive additional payments.

The maximum amount for the basic contract can reach up to UAH 120,000 per month, i.e., match the level of the combat contract. If a serviceman performs tasks on the front line, bonuses will be calculated using the logic of the “infantry-assault contract.”

The option to switch from a basic contract to a combat or infantry-assault one is also provided.

Additional rewards: prisoners, destroyed enemy, first contract, and wellness support
Separately, the Ministry of Defense determines additional monetary rewards for specific combat results.

Provided:

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

For servicemen signing a contract for the first time, a one-time payment in the range of UAH 27,000–33,000 is provided. Its amount will depend on military rank.

In addition, once a year it will be possible to receive a wellness payment — from UAH 20,000.

For graduates of military educational institutions, a separate rule will apply: if after graduation they haven't yet served the mandatory term under their first contract, new contracts will be signed for a term no shorter than the one remaining.

Deferral after the contract: the longer the service, the longer the guarantee
One of the key changes is the emergence of a guaranteed deferral after completing a contract. Its logic is based on the principle: the longer a serviceman carried out combat tasks and the greater their total length of service, the longer the deferral will be.

For “6+,” “10,” and “14-month” contracts, a guaranteed base deferral of 6 months is provided. Its duration will then increase depending on combat experience and previous service:

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

For example, if a civilian signed a “14-month contract” and spent 10 of those months on combat tasks, they'll receive the right to a three-year deferral.

Another example concerns an active serviceman. If they signed a “10-month contract,” spent 2 months of it on combat tasks, and before that had 2 years of service since 2022, they'll have the right to a two-year deferral. The formula consists of 6 months of guaranteed deferral, 6 months for combat tasks, and 1 year for prior service.

For “24-month contracts,” a base guaranteed deferral of 6 months is also provided. Additionally taken into account will be:

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

The total duration of the deferral will be determined by the combination of all grounds.

Return from AWOL: 100 days for a simplified procedure
A separate block of changes concerns servicemen whose unauthorized absence was recorded before the effective date of the relevant Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine resolution.

For them, the state is opening a temporary window for voluntary return to service under a new procedure. It will last 100 days from the effective date of the Cabinet of Ministers resolution.

At the first stage, the mechanism will be available to servicemen of:

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

The National Guard of Ukraine is to join this mechanism later.

Return will only be possible within the same structure from which the serviceman went AWOL. For example, if it's the AFU, then return is possible specifically to the AFU.

Verification of reports will be carried out digitally and will take no more than 7 calendar days.

Return to one of 55 units
The new mechanism also provides for the ability to choose a unit for return. It's about one of 55 units included in the list of the most effective according to the eBaly rating of the Delta situational awareness system. In the Ministry of Defense's announcement, this group is designated as the “TOP-50+ units.”

A report for return can be submitted in one of several ways:

• through the Army+ app;
• to the 1st or 2nd Recruitment Center of the AFU — for AFU servicemen only;
• directly to the chosen military unit — for the AFU and the State Special Transport Service of Ukraine.

For servicemen of the National Guard of Ukraine, the ability to submit a report via Army+ should become available in the coming days.

There's no need to contact the previous unit for return. The serviceman will receive support from the contact center at every stage — from submitting the report to arriving at the new duty station.

The Army+ app will also introduce an “En route” status, confirming the serviceman's return to service, including while passing through checkpoints.

Monetary and material allowances will be restored on the day the serviceman is enrolled in the new unit's roster. Food allowance will be restored immediately on the day of arrival at the military unit.

Another important guarantee: for 6 months after enrollment in the new unit, the serviceman cannot be transferred without their written consent.

Why these changes matter
The announced transformation matters not only for the army's personnel policy. It concerns a broader issue of trust between the serviceman and the state.

Clear contract terms give a person an understanding of the period for which they're taking on obligations. Increased payments should better correspond to the level of risk, especially for those working on the front line. A guaranteed deferral after completing a contract creates a predictable prospect of returning to family and civilian life.

At the same time, the simplified mechanism for return from AWOL demonstrates that the state is trying not only to punish, but also to give a way back to those ready to resume service. Especially important is the right to choose one of the 55 designated units, digital verification of the report within 7 calendar days, and the guarantee of no transfer without written consent for 6 months.

The changes proposed by the Ministry of Defense can be seen as the first stage of a major overhaul of military service rules. They combine financial motivation, clear terms, digital tools, a new approach, and an attempt to resolve the complex issues of returning servicemen from AWOL.

The key idea of this transformation is to make service in the Defense Forces more understandable, fair, and manageable. For the state, it's a way to strengthen combat units. For servicemen — an opportunity to see not just duties, but concrete guarantees, terms, payments, and rules for further service.

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