It's official! Military salaries will increase: Zelenskyy has signed amendments to the budget

The head of state has approved a historic increase in the defense budget, made possible by financial support from the EU. Military spending has been raised to a record 4.4 trillion hryvnias: these funds will be used to purchase new weapons and provide a significant increase in pay for service members. Find out how the funds will be allocated and how much service members will receive

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has officially approved a law amending the state budget, which guarantees an increase in pay for military personnel. This is evidenced by the status of Bill No. 15224.

See also: 2026 Mobilization Reform: Military Pay Raises, a New Contract System, and Changes to Mobilization

Military Budget: How Much Will Be Allocated for Armed Forces Salaries

After the law took effect, total state spending on defense and security reached a record high of 4.4 trillion hryvnias.

Of this unprecedented amount, more than 1.45 trillion hryvnias is earmarked exclusively for paying the salaries of Ukrainian defenders. A significant portion of the updated budget will also go toward strengthening the country’s defense capabilities: the government will allocate 2.3 trillion hryvnias to the procurement of new weapons and military equipment. As a reminder, the decision to increase defense spending by 1.56 trillion hryvnias was approved by the Verkhovna Rada in its second reading on June 10.

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EU Aid to Ukraine: Who Will Fund the Pay Raises

The main source of such large-scale additional funding for the Armed Forces was macro-financial assistance from the European Union.

Access to these funds was finally granted last Thursday, June 18. On that day, the Ukrainian parliament unblocked the use of European funds for the military by rejecting seven blocking motions at once. These initiatives sought to overturn the budget amendments but failed to gain support among lawmakers, allowing the president to sign the law as quickly as possible.

Issues of social benefits, military support, the status of a combatant, compensation and state guarantees often require professional legal support. Errors in documents or ignorance of your rights can lead to delays in payments or denial of appropriate benefits. A qualified lawyer will help you understand the legislation, prepare the necessary documents and protect your interests before state authorities.

Get legal assistance from Visit Ukraine specialists to be confident in protecting your rights.

Reminder! The government is offering a second chance to service members who have temporarily left their posts. The new mechanism allows them to legally resume service by independently selecting a unit through the “Army+” app. Find out who will be fully exempt from punishment for leaving their unit without permission and how to properly file a report by September 20.

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