New payments to military personnel in 2026: what the Cabinet of Ministers will change
This was reported by the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a draft law on amendments to the State Budget of Ukraine for 2026.
The document provides for additional funding for the security and defence sector. According to the Ministry of Finance, expenditure in this area is set to increase by 1.56 trillion hryvnias, and the total budget following the amendments will amount to 4.367 trillion hryvnias.
What the funds will be used for
The additional funds are planned to be allocated across several key areas.
UAH 174.3 billion is to be allocated to the pay of military personnel. The total budget for this area following the changes will amount to UAH 1.454 trillion.
A further 1.371 trillion UAH is earmarked for armaments and military equipment. This covers the procurement and repair of military equipment, armaments and ammunition.
UAH 14.6 billion is planned to be allocated to the reserve for the security and defence sector. The total reserve funding following the changes is expected to amount to UAH 213.6 billion.
The Ministry of Defence noted that separate funds are also earmarked for the development of Ukraine’s defence industry, the modernisation of equipment and the expansion of domestic weapons production.
How military salaries may change
At the same time, Ukraine is preparing a reform of payments for military personnel.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that the final details are to be agreed in May, and the first results of the pay rise for soldiers, sergeants and officers may be noticeable as early as June.
The essence of the reform lies in a new principle for the distribution of funds. Pay is to be based on a soldier’s experience, the complexity of tasks and the quality of commanders’ work.
The minimum wage for rear-line posts is set to rise from 20,000 UAH to 30,000 UAH. Commanders’ pay could be roughly doubled.
Significantly higher amounts are envisaged for troops on the front line through a new system of combat allowances.
Special payments for infantry
According to sources at Ukrayinska Pravda, the greatest financial support is to be received by infantrymen carrying out tasks on the front line.
A risk-based payment system based on the “10/20/40” formula may be introduced for them.
This amounts to 10,000 UAH per day for holding a position, 20,000 UAH for strike and reconnaissance operations, including the recapture of lost positions or mopping-up operations, and 40,000 UAH for active offensive operations.
According to sources, an infantryman who regularly carries out combat missions could receive 250,000–400,000 UAH per month.
These payments are currently being presented as part of a future reform, rather than as a universal standard already in force for all military personnel.
Where will the money come from
The budget amendments are linked to financial support from the European Union.
This involves an EU loan of €90 billion for 2026–2027. In 2026, Ukraine is set to receive €45 billion in support.
Of this amount, €31.8 billion is planned to be allocated to national defence and security, with a further €13.2 billion to cover the budget deficit. The first tranche is expected as early as June.
Overall, following the changes, the 2026 State Budget revenue is set to increase by over 2.2 trillion UAH – primarily thanks to international support and additional revenue generated through the implementation of the Ukraine Plan.
What else do the changes entail?
The draft law also proposes that, from 1 July 2026, the military levy be credited to a special fund of the State Budget and directed towards the pay of Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel.
In addition, revenue from export duties on military and dual-use goods, once introduced, is planned to be directed towards the procurement and modernisation of weapons, the development of the defence-industrial complex, new technologies and payments to military personnel.
Separately, the budget proposes allocating 40 billion hryvnias for comprehensive regional and municipal resilience plans.
These funds are to be used for preparations for the 2026/27 autumn-winter season, the protection of critical infrastructure, modular boiler houses, cogeneration plants and backup power sources for heat and water supply.
A further 40 billion hryvnias is planned to be allocated to the State Budget Reserve Fund for unforeseen measures under martial law.
What next
The draft law must be considered by the Verkhovna Rada.
Once approved by parliament, signed by the president and officially published, the amendments will come into force. Only then will funding under the new and increased budget items be able to be put into operation.
The Ministry of Defence noted that the ministry, together with the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Ministry of Finance, is working to identify opportunities to adequately support the Armed Forces of Ukraine and strengthen the army’s capabilities.
As reported by ThePublic, a large-scale army reform is being prepared in Ukraine, which provides for new contracts with guaranteed demobilisation, pay rises for military personnel and reform of the Territorial Defence Forces. For combat personnel, contracts of 10–14 months and a new ‘10/20/40’ bonus system may be introduced, under which military personnel will receive up to 400,000 hryvnias per month. The Ministry of Defence also plans to transform the Territorial Recruitment Centres into ‘Reserve+ Offices’ with separate mobilisation and social functions.
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