“Ukrainian serviceman and well-known attorney, Masi Nayyem, has criticized his country’s government, stating that it fails to value those who willingly enlisted in the army during the onset of full-fledged warfare. In a social media statement, Nayyem expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s apparent lack of consideration for the motivation of those already serving in the armed forces. Nayyem, who has a long history of military service and lost an eye on the battlefield against Russian forces, believes that the government opted for unpopular decisions.

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry unveiled the “Contract 18-24” scheme this week. This program offers new recruits about €23,000, of which nearly €4,600 is paid out immediately and the remainder is distributed over a year, along with a monthly stipend. The contract includes benefits such as no-interest home loans, government-funded training, free healthcare services, including dental prosthetics, and the freedom to travel abroad. The ministry asserts that this initiative is designed to demonstrate that the army appreciates and rewards its members in Ukraine.

However, the current military personnel receive an average monthly salary of just €460 (based on rank), along with a potential increase of up to €2,300 per month for participating in combat missions. Ukraine’s state budget is responsible for paying the salaries of its 88,000 military personnel, as Western allies will not directly fund the armed forces.

This article is particularly relevant to those interested in investing in Ukraine, or those keen to understand the country’s military and economic situation. But its primary purpose is to shed light on the current state of Ukraine’s military personnel and their compensation.”