Bonuses for assaults, prisoners of war and enemy casualties: Ministry of Defence has published details of new payments
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence has responded to the numerous enquiries received via its helpline and on social media regarding when payments will be made under the new incentive scheme as part of the transformation of the Defence Forces, reports Censor.NET
Resolution No. 768 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, dated 12 June 2026, introduced a new system of incentive payments and allowances. The regulations apply from 1 June 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 serviceman has signed a new contract. Everyone is entitled to them — those who have signed an incentive contract, those serving under conscription during mobilisation, and those serving under an old contract. The type of military service is irrelevant.
What payments are available and how much
All service personnel, regardless of their contract, are entitled to:
Additional remuneration — 10,000 UAH per month for those stationed in the rear who support units and do not receive combat allowances. The minimum monthly payment is 30,000 UAH.
Combat bonuses — paid daily, calculated for each day of assault operations, namely:
- 20,000 UAH per day — for the recapture of positions seized by the enemy deep within the defending forces’ lines
- 40,000 UAH per day — for storming and capturing positions directly on the front line or deep within the enemy’s defences
If a service member is entitled to several bonuses on the same day, for example, for retaking positions or for assault operations, the bonus with the higher amount is paid.
Additional rewards for carrying out tasks, in particular those relating to troop command, are calculated in proportion to the time spent on these tasks during the month:
- 50,000 UAH per month — for carrying out combat tasks at the command posts of brigades, regiments and battalions, from which operational command is exercised over units engaged in combat operations
- 30,000 UAH per month — for carrying out other combat (special) missions.
The total amount of all these payments may not exceed 460,000 UAH per month.
In addition, bonuses for combat performance may be received in excess of the above-mentioned limit:
- 100,000 UAH — for each enemy serviceman taken prisoner. The sum is divided amongst all those who directly participated in the capture
- 15,000 UAH — for each enemy killed in rifle or hand-to-hand combat, provided this is confirmed by video footage
When will the money be paid?
Payments under this resolution are calculated alongside the basic salary — by the 20th of the current month for the previous month. That is, for June — by 20 July.
The above-mentioned payments and bonuses for the capture and elimination of the enemy are paid on the basis of an order from the commander of the military unit — in the same way as the existing mechanism for paying combat rewards. The order is issued for the previous month. Payment is made — together with the basic military salary — by the 20th of the following month.
That is to say:
- Those who were in the rear in June will receive an additional bonus (minimum +10,000 UAH) by 20 July.
- Those who stormed enemy positions in June will receive combat bonuses once the commander has signed the order for June. Payment will be made in July, provided the order is signed on time.
- Those who took prisoners or eliminated the enemy in close combat in June will receive a bonus in July, subject to the commander’s order.
If, for reasons beyond the serviceman’s control, the order for June is signed late, the payment will be included in the next order. The entitlement to payment is not lost in this case.
What a motivational contract offers
Everyone receives the new combat allowances — regardless of whether they have a contract. However, a motivational contract offers something that conscripted service does not:
- The fixed term of service is 10 and 14 months for infantrymen and assault troops, and 24 months for combat and rear specialists. Upon completion of the term, the right to discharge is guaranteed if there is no desire to continue.
- Deferral following service is a minimum of 6 months; longer periods are possible depending on the number of months spent in combat positions and the total length of service from 2022 onwards.
- A one-off payment upon signing the first contract ranges from 26,624 to 33,280 UAH, depending on military rank.
