Ukrainian Soldiers Forced to Pay for Bank SMS Alerts, Face In-Person Cancellation Hurdle.

The SMS Notification Burden on Military Personnel

According to Novyny.live: Approximately 100,000 members of Ukraine's Armed Forces (ZSU) are enrolled in a mandatory, paid SMS notification service from Oschadbank. The bank requires these soldiers to visit a branch in person to cancel the service, creating a significant obstacle for those deployed or on active duty. This policy has drawn criticism for placing an undue burden on service members during a time of national conflict.

The monthly fee for these SMS alerts is 40 UAH, an increase from the 25 UAH charged in 2026. This results in a collective monthly expense of 4,000,000 UAH for military personnel. Meanwhile, the cost for alternative notification methods, such as Viber, has also risen to 25 UAH per month, up from a previous rate of 15 UAH.

Inconvenience and Financial Strain

Oschadbank's in-person cancellation requirement is particularly problematic for soldiers who may be stationed away from their home branches or engaged in combat operations. The situation highlights a lack of consideration for the unique circumstances of military life and imposes an avoidable financial strain on those serving their country.

Consequently, the issue of these mandatory bank charges has become a significant concern for service members, who are compelled to spend substantial sums on SMS notifications without a straightforward way to opt out. This practice raises questions about the fairness of financial services offered to military personnel during wartime.

The current predicament underscores the urgent need for banking services to be adapted to the specific needs of soldiers. Given the heightened financial pressures and operational demands faced by the army, there is a clear call for Oschadbank to review its policies. Immediate action is required to prevent adding unnecessary financial hardship to those fulfilling their duty to defend Ukraine.