Ukrainian Troops to Designate Captivity Pay Recipients Starting February 2025.

New Financial Provision Rights for Military Personnel

According to Novyny.live: Beginning in February 2025, Ukrainian service members will have the authority to personally designate who receives their financial compensation and in what amounts, should they be captured or go missing. This change aims to provide greater financial support for the families of soldiers during these difficult circumstances. This reform addresses a critical need for clarity and security for troops on the front lines.

Procedure for Issuing a Personal Directive

A service member who wishes to use this right must issue a personal directive. This document must be signed and submitted to their commanding officer for safekeeping. This process establishes a clear plan for who will receive payments and in what proportion if the soldier is captured or declared missing.

If no personal directive is filed, 50% of the due payments will go to the soldier's closest relatives, while the remaining 50% is retained for the service member. Currently, defenders who are captured or missing continue to receive their regular pay plus an additional monthly reward of 100,000 hryvnias. The minimum total monthly payment for such personnel is 120,000 hryvnias. In the absence of a personal directive, the family receives a sum not exceeding 50% of the total financial provision.

This new measure is designed to simplify the payment mechanism and ensure more substantial financial aid reaches the families of military personnel facing extreme situations.

Granting troops the ability to dictate payment terms in case of capture or disappearance is a significant step toward enhancing the social protection of service members and their families. This mechanism helps prevent disputes over disbursements and ensures financial support is directed to those who need it most during critical times.

Providing families with clear and understandable terms for receiving compensation can positively impact troop morale, as soldiers will know their loved ones are supported if the unexpected occurs.