How volunteer fighters aged 18-24 in Armed Forces can receive UAH 1 million: criteria explained by Ministry of Defence. INFOGRAPHICS
Commanders of military units will be responsible for collecting documents for the payment of UAH 1 million to soldiers aged 18-24 who have voluntarily joined the Armed Forces.
This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Defence, Censor.NET reports.
It is noted that the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, guided by the principles of social justice, has extended the Contract 18-24 initiative to military personnel who voluntarily enlisted in the military service under the age of 25 after 24 February 2022.
The government resolution, which came into force on 13 February 2025, defines the conditions for receiving the payment and the specifics of its calculation.
Who is eligible for payment
Servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who meet the following criteria are eligible for this remuneration:
1. Have been recruited or called up during martial law under the age of 25.
2. Participated in combat operations on the front line for at least 6 months (as of 13 February 2025).
3. Continued to serve at the time the government resolution came into force (13 February 2025).
4. Have not had two or more cases of criminal or administrative prosecution for military offences and have no current disciplinary sanctions.
Those who fought for less than 6 months but were wounded or taken prisoner (except in cases of voluntary surrender) while defending Ukraine will also receive the full payment.
At the same time, persons who left military service before 13 February 2025 are not eligible for the payment, even if they met the age criteria.
Accrual specifics
The remuneration will be paid as a one-time lump sum for the entire period of service. The funds will be transferred to the servicemember’s bank card account. For those who participated in combat operations for less than six months (as of 13 February 2025), the amount will be calculated proportionally: 1/6 of UAH 1 million for every 30 days of direct involvement in combat operations.
Proof of participation in combat is established based on official documents, including: a combat order (directive), log, operational report, combat situation summary, or a written report from the unit commander.
Payment mechanism
Payments are made on the basis of orders from military unit commanders. To prepare them, personnel services prepare a package of documents, including:
- extracts from service records and certificates of service;
- a copy of the service record;
- certificates of participation in hostilities (including previous places of service);
- certificates on the absence or presence of prosecutions.
The pension scheme for young defenders who stood up to defend Ukraine at the beginning of the full-scale invasion is part of the government's policy of supporting servicemen and women and honouring their contribution to the fight for independence.
