One Million Hryvnias Promised, But Not Paid: Why Young Ukrainian Soldiers Have to Sue for Their Money

In February 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted Resolution No. 153, an experimental project designed to incentivize young people to join the armed forces. The deal was straightforward: enlisted personnel (rank-and-file, sergeants, and senior non-commissioned officers) who joined the service before turning 25 and who had at least six months of direct participation in combat would receive a one-time payout of 1 million hryvnias. Those wounded in action or taken prisoner (except voluntary surrender) get the full amount regardless of combat time.

On paper, it sounded like a fair reward. In reality, it turned into a bureaucratic nightmare.

The Many Ways the Military Finds Not to Pay

Lawyers handling these cases report a pattern of refusals that seem designed to avoid payment. The most common excuses include:

• The soldier signed their contract before February 24, 2022 — the start of the full-scale invasion. Units claim the resolution only applies to those who joined after that date.
• The soldier previously served as a conscript. Even if they later signed a contract, they are denied.
• The soldier has fewer than six months of documented combat time.
• The soldier’s file contains any mention of AWOL (absence without leave), even if unconfirmed.
• The soldier was discharged before February 13, 2025 — the day the resolution took effect.
• The soldier “failed to submit a formal request” or “did not provide a complete set of documents.”

These are not isolated incidents. They represent a systemic pattern.

Courts Rule: Pay Up

Fortunately, Ukrainian administrative courts have been consistently ruling in favor of the soldiers. Here are a few landmark cases:

• Zakarpattia District Administrative Court (Case No. 260/3501/25, February 26, 2026) ruled that a wounded soldier is entitled to the full payment under paragraph 4 of Resolution No. 153, regardless of his combat record.
• Donetsk District Administrative Court (Case No. 200/3887/25) granted the claim of a 21-year-old soldier with 442 days of combat service, finding he fully met the criteria.
• Volyn District Administrative Court (Decision No. 131583284, November 6, 2025) ordered payment to a soldier who enlisted at age 22.
• Chernihiv District Administrative Court ruled that discharge for medical reasons does not limit the right to the reward.
• Lviv District Administrative Court held that extending a contract during martial law constitutes a new legal fact, entitling the soldier to the payment.
• Luhansk District Administrative Court confirmed that signing a contract after February 24, 2022, is sufficient grounds.

Appellate courts have upheld these rulings, emphasizing that a pre-war contract does not disqualify a soldier. Their decisions take immediate legal effect.

According to the law firm YURCONSULT, as of October 2026 they have recorded over 162 won cases in this category — and that’s just one firm’s caseload.

Why Aren’t the Payments Going Through?

Even after a court victory, many soldiers still face delays. The money must come from the state budget, and the payment mechanism through the State Treasury often stalls. Some military units claim they lack budget allocations. Others argue that Resolution No. 153 is an “experimental project” and therefore not binding.

Courts have been blunt in response: the 1 million hryvnia payment is an unconditional obligation of the state. It does not depend on a soldier’s formal request, the unit’s budget, or any administrative initiative.

What Should a Soldier Do If Refused?

1. Don’t panic. Gather all relevant documents: your contract, extracts from orders, combat reports, medical certificates for wounds, and the written refusal from your unit.
2. File a lawsuit in an administrative court. You have six months from the day you learned of the violation of your rights.
3. Seek legal help. Many lawyers specializing in military cases offer free or low-cost consultations. They can handle the paperwork and represent you in court.
4. If you have fewer than six months of combat time but were not wounded, you may still receive a proportional payment: 1/6 of the full amount for every 30 days of combat service.

The Bigger Picture

Resolution No. 153 is not a charity program — it is a clearly defined state obligation to those who risked their lives. The fact that military units are widely ignoring it points either to systemic negligence or deliberate sabotage. Courts are correcting the situation, but each lawsuit adds stress and consumes time that a soldier may not have.

The government promised a million. It needs to pay a million — without lawsuits, without excuses, without “maybe later.” Otherwise, no one will ever trust another promise.