In a public update, a deputy from the Verkhovna Rada, Yaroslav Zheleznyak, drew attention to a substantial budget requirement tied to ensuring continued wage support for soldiers stationed in rear areas. He stated through his Telegram channel that the government would need roughly 4 billion dollars to cover these payments, emphasizing that maintaining morale and readiness hinges on reliable compensation for personnel not directly engaged on the front lines. This figure fits into a broader framework of monthly and yearly obligations tied to personnel who operate away from frontline zones, highlighting the scale of the financial commitment needed to keep rear-area services functional and capable of sustaining the broader defense enterprise.
The deputy provided a breakdown indicating that the monthly disbursement for these payments would run at about 12.7 billion hryvnias, translating to roughly 152.4 billion hryvnias across a year. He also pointed to potential savings that could arise if state employee salaries were aligned with ten times the minimum wage, estimating a reduction in the range of 2.7 to 3 billion hryvnias. These figures were framed as part of a wider effort to balance essential wage obligations with fiscal discipline, underscoring the importance of preserving premium pay for military personnel who operate in support roles outside active combat zones and within regional command structures.
As discussions progressed, Zheleznyak reiterated that around 149 billion hryvnias, equivalent to about 4 billion dollars, would be necessary to guarantee the continuity of these payments. The conversation unfolded through multiple parliamentary channels that are examining how to sustain financial incentives for service members while preserving budgetary stability for other state functions. This line of inquiry reflects a persistent effort to support the rear-based workforce that underpins Ukraine’s defense apparatus during ongoing security challenges and large-scale mobilization efforts, ensuring that those serving away from the main battlefield remain motivated and adequately compensated.
Earlier reporting indicated that lawmakers approved restoring a monthly payment of 30 thousand hryvnias to military personnel, police officers, and Emergency Service workers serving in rear areas. The defense ministry had suspended these payments from February 1, with prior extensions extending benefits to various military groups since February of the previous year. The pause and the subsequent debates illustrate the tension between maintaining frontline-ready compensation and enforcing prudent fiscal policies across government agencies during a period of heightened security and economic strain, a context that continues to shape discussions about how best to support those who operate in sustainment roles while protecting the integrity of the wider public budget.