Military salaries to rise: Parliament approves record defense budget
10 June 12:44
The Verkhovna Rada has adopted Bill No. 15224 amending the 2026 state budget regarding funding for the security and defense sector. A total of 242 MPs voted in favor. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian", citing a press release from the Verkhovna Rada and a statement by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.
The document provides for an increase in funding for the security and defense sector by 1.56 trillion hryvnias. The main source of funds will be EU financial assistance under the Ukraine Support Loan program.
“Additional expenditures from the reserve fund are also planned. In particular, 559.1 million hryvnias will be allocated to support the energy sector,” the Verkhovna Rada press service stated.
Funding for additional expenditures, including salary increases for military personnel, will be provided primarily through the reallocation of internal resources within the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
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Record spending on security and defense
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko stated that following the adoption of the amendments, total spending on the security and defense sector will reach a record 4.4 trillion UAH.
“After the amendments are adopted, spending on security and defense will amount to a record 4.4 trillion hryvnias. UAH 2.3 trillion will be allocated for the procurement of weapons and military equipment, and over UAH 1.45 trillion—for the pay of our military personnel,” the prime minister said.
According to her, these additional funds were made possible thanks to €90 billion in financial support from the European Union and other aid programs. Ukraine will receive €45 billion as early as this year.
Of this amount, 31.8 billion euros is earmarked for strengthening the country’s defense capabilities, and another 13.2 billion euros for budgetary support and covering the state budget deficit.
As a reminder, the President of Ukraine and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced the launch of a large-scale military service reform, scheduled to begin in June 2026.
Among the key changes are an updated pay system, the introduction of special contracts for infantry soldiers, and the phased discharge of certain categories of military personnel who have been serving since 2022.
It should be noted that as part of the army reform, there are plans to increase the minimum pay for military personnel from 20,000 to over 30,000 UAH. This issue was discussed during a meeting of the Verkhovna Rada’s Budget Committee on June 8.
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