A serviceman’s pay is not a ‘salary at the commander’s discretion’, but a right guaranteed by the state. Article 9 of Law of Ukraine No. 2011-XII ‘On the Social and Legal Protection of Servicemen and Members of Their Families’ expressly obliges the state to provide servicemen with pay in an amount commensurate with the conditions of service. This includes a basic salary, a rank-based allowance, a length-of-service allowance, monthly supplementary payments and bonuses. Separately, Article 9-2 of the same law guarantees, during a period of martial law, additional remuneration for carrying out combat missions. When these payments to military personnel are delayed, underpaid or not paid at all, the law gives them the right to claim them — including through the courts.
In practice, discrepancies between the law and reality arise constantly. Combat allowances are not paid because the unit is ‘not the one’ specified in the order. Monthly remuneration is not taken into account when calculating health benefits or one-off severance pay, on the grounds that it is a ‘one-off’ payment. One-off financial assistance for injuries is delayed because ‘the medical board certificate is incorrect’. And following a transfer to another unit, payments get ‘stuck’ between two financial authorities. In each of these cases, the money is legally owed to the serviceman — the only question is how to prove it correctly.
We identify exactly which payment has not been received and whose fault it is, gather evidence through reports and solicitors’ enquiries, and recover what is due from the military unit or the relevant authority — out of court, and if that does not work, then in court.
Call us on: +38 095 554-54-24. We’ll tell you what payments you’re entitled to and how to claim them.
What payments can service personnel claim?
The law and subordinate legislation provide for several categories of payments that most frequently give rise to disputes:
- Basic pay — salaries, length-of-service allowance, bonus (Article 9 of Law No. 2011-XII; Procedure approved by Order of the Ministry of Defence No. 260 of 7 June 2018). The minimum level of financial allowance in 2026 is 20,130 UAH.
- Combat allowances — additional remuneration for carrying out combat missions in accordance with Resolution No. 168 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated 28 February 2022: up to 100,000 UAH for every 30 days on the front line, with a total monthly limit on additional payments of 460,000 UAH.
- One-off financial assistance (OFA) — in the event of a service member being wounded, becoming disabled or killed in action; the amount depends on the consequences and is set by law.
- Payments upon discharge — pay up to the date of removal from the register, compensation for unused leave, and health rehabilitation allowance.
Why payments ‘disappear’ and what case law says
The most common situation is when the authority classifies part of the money that was actually paid out monthly as ‘one-off’ or ‘temporary’ and does not include it in the calculation of health benefits or one-off severance pay. As a result, the final amount turns out to be significantly lower. Case law is on the side of military personnel here: the Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court, in Case No. 825/997/17, recognised that monthly additional remuneration has the characteristics of a regular monetary allowance. Subsequent case law (in particular, the landmark case No. 280/8933/24) confirms this: the name of the payment is not decisive — if the money was paid on a regular basis and was linked to the conditions of service, it can be recovered and compensation paid for the delay.
A second common situation is where combat allowances are not paid due to a formal link to the ‘wrong’ unit in the order, even though the serviceman actually carried out combat tasks. In such cases, combat orders, reports and certificates confirming actual participation become decisive.
When to consult a solicitor – and when a report is sufficient
If the payment has simply been delayed by a few days for a technical reason, and the financial authority acknowledges the debt, a registered report is sufficient, and there is no need to go to court. We will be honest about this and will not drag you into a pointless dispute.
However, if the authority refuses in writing, ‘sees no grounds’, fails to include the payment in the calculation, or refuses to grant the OGD due to an allegedly incorrect certificate — in such cases, you’ll need a lawyer, as this involves proving the legal nature of the payment, rather than a technical delay. If the injury is linked to a fitness-for-service assessment, you may also need support with undergoing the medical examination</ a> may also be required; and in complex health-related cases — discharge from service on health grounds.
How we recover payments for military personnel
- we establish exactly which payment has not been received and under which regulation it is due;
- we help you to submit a report to your commanding officer correctly and ensure it is registered with a reference number;
- we submit legal enquiries to the military unit and the financial authority, and gather orders, certificates and calculations;
- we prepare a pre-litigation claim, and in the event of a refusal, a court claim;
- in court, we demonstrate the legal nature of the payment, drawing on the case law of the Supreme Court;
- we recover not only the amount itself but also compensation for the delay in payment.
What risks does a serviceman face if he acts on his own
Firstly, a verbal report without a reference number means there is no evidence of the claim having been made; subsequently, the authority will simply claim that you did not make the claim. Secondly, missing the time limits for bringing a claim to court may result in the unit being unable to recover the debt. Thirdly, without a correctly worded claim, the court may dismiss the case not on the merits, but due to a procedural error — the wrong defendant, the wrong jurisdiction. Fourthly, a refusal by the Military Medical Commission is often appealed on the grounds of a defect in the Medical Examination Commission’s report, and without an understanding of this mechanism, money is lost where it could have been recovered. Each of these errors translates into tens, and sometimes even hundreds, of thousands of hryvnias in lost compensation.
Cost of services (payments to military personnel)
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Consultation with an assessment of the payments due | from 1,500 UAH |
| Legal opinion and calculation of underpayment | from 5,000 UAH |
| Preparation of a pre-litigation claim / statement of claim | from 5,000 UAH |
| Representation at a court hearing | from 3,000 UAH |
| Legal representation in court | from 10,000 UAH |
| Comprehensive ‘turnkey’ dispute resolution | from 25,000 UAH |
Regarding court fees: in a number of disputes concerning social benefits for military personnel and their families, the law provides for concessions or exemptions from payment. We check at the outset whether the concession applies to your situation, so that you do not pay more than necessary.
Questions and answers (payments to military personnel)
I haven’t been paid my combat allowance. Where do I start?
Start with a report to your commander, which must be registered with a reference number. At the same time, gather combat orders and certificates confirming actual participation — it is these documents, rather than the name of the unit, that will resolve the issue.
My allowance was not included in the calculation of my health allowance. Is this legal?
No, if the allowance was paid monthly and on a regular basis. The Supreme Court recognises such an allowance as part of regular pay, so the underpayment can be recalculated and recovered.
For what period can unpaid financial support be recovered?
The amounts actually not paid are recovered; the specific period depends on when the claim is made. Therefore, it is not worth delaying — the sooner you start, the more you can recover.
I have been refused a one-off financial payment for an injury. What should I do?
The most common reason is an error or incorrect wording in the Medical Examination Commission’s report or in the documents detailing the circumstances of the injury. We investigate the grounds for the refusal and appeal against it, seeking a correct medical assessment where necessary.
How much is the combat allowance?
According to Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 168 — up to 100,000 UAH for every 30 days of carrying out combat duties on the front line, with a total monthly limit on additional payments of 460,000 UAH (separate payments for the destruction of equipment or the capture of prisoners are not included in this limit).
After being transferred to another unit, the payments stopped. Who should I contact?
The procedure is not clearly regulated in this regard, so you can initiate the payment process at either your previous or new place of service. We will identify the correct defendant to ensure the court does not dismiss the case due to a procedural error.
Is it possible to claim compensation for a delay in payment?
Yes. As additional remuneration forms part of financial provision, it is standard practice to claim compensation for late payment.
Do you have to pay court fees in such cases?
In many disputes concerning social payments to military personnel, concessions or exemptions from court fees apply. We check this before filing a claim.
The commander says that ‘there is no money in the budget’. Is this a valid reason not to pay?
No. Payment within the limits of the budget allocation is a matter of the authority’s funding, not a reason to deprive a service member of benefits guaranteed by law. Such refusals can be challenged.
How much does your assistance cost?
From 1,500 UAH per consultation. The cost of legal representation depends on the type of payment and the scope of the dispute — we’ll quote a price after assessing the situation.
Contact a solicitor at Svarog regarding payments to military personnel
During the consultation, we’ll analyse which payments you’re entitled to, why you haven’t received them, and whether there’s a prospect of recovery. If the matter can be resolved through an official report, we’ll tell you straight away; if court proceedings are required, we’ll handle the case from the initial claims right through to the final decision. This area is handled by our military lawyer</ a>; where necessary, we also assist with military pension recalculations.
Telephone: +38 095 554-54-24, +38 096 554-54-25 (Telegram, Viber, WhatsApp). Address: 7 Khoriva Street, Office 2, Kyiv (Podil). Opening hours: Mon–Fri, 9.00–18.00.