From contractors to civilians: what distinguishes the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Territorial Defense, and the Volunteer Territorial Defense Units?

The war in Ukraine has highlighted the significance of every component of the nation's defense system. The Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Territorial Defense Forces, and the volunteer formations of local communities have emerged as vital elements in the country's protection. However, their roles, structures, and legal statuses vary significantly.

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Ukrainian Armed Forces: Who Are They

The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) are the primary component of Ukraine's military power, ensuring the country's defense against external threats. This regular army encompasses all military branches, from the Ground Forces to Air Defense and other specialized units. AFU servicemen serve either on a contract basis or through conscription, and their activities are governed by Ukrainian laws and military command orders.

The AFU includes both career military personnel and mobilized reservists. They are provided with all necessary resources—from weaponry to food—and have clearly defined duties and responsibilities. The tasks of the AFU involve both active combat operations on the front lines and strategic planning of defensive operations.

Depending on their position and qualifications, the salary level for AFU servicemen varies. Generally, this ranges from 15,000 to 50,000 hryvnias per month; however, salaries can increase due to allowances, particularly for participation in combat operations.

Additional compensation for military personnel not engaged in combat is 30,000 UAH, or about 1,000 UAH per day. For those participating in battles, additional compensation is calculated at 100,000 hryvnias per month, or approximately 3,000 UAH per day. The number of days a serviceman spent in combat and performing combat tasks is determined based on combat orders and directives issued by various command structures.

Are Territorial Defense Forces Similar to the AFU?

The Territorial Defense Forces (TDF) are part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine but have a somewhat different structure and focus. A Territorial Defense Brigade is not a conventional brigade and differs in both organization and responsibilities. The military units of the TDF and military command bodies are staffed during special periods with contract servicemen, conscript officers, and reservists from the territorial reserve. In contrast, the line brigades of the AFU, meant for conventional warfare, possess specialized weaponry and have a clearly defined structure.

In the Territorial Defense, there exists a core of professional military personnel, based on which a brigade of reservists and military-eligible individuals is formed. The TDF units consist of both military and civilian-military components. The military component includes military units and divisions of the TDF, which is part of the army alongside the Ground Forces. All TDF units have access to standard weapons. However, while the AFU comprises servicemen, reservists, and mobilized individuals, TDF units also include volunteer formations from territorial communities (DFTOs). According to legislation, these individuals have the right to use personal hunting weapons.

The base salary in the TDF is lower compared to the AFU. Typically, it ranges from 10,000 to 15,000 hryvnias, but it can vary depending on the number of combat tasks completed or enhanced service conditions.

DFTO — Are They Civilians?

Within the structure of the TDF, there is also a civilian-military component — volunteer formations of territorial communities. DFTO is a paramilitary unit formed on a voluntary basis from citizens of Ukraine residing within the territory of the respective community, designed to participate in the preparation and execution of territorial defense tasks. DFTOs are subordinate to the commanders of military units of the TDF based on territorial principles.

Members of the DFTO must meet the following criteria:

Ukrainian citizen aged 18 and older;
Resides in the territory of the community where the formation operates;
Has passed a medical selection (conducted by the Military Medical Commission);
Undergoes professional and psychological selection (screening).

The contract for a territorial defense volunteer is established between the commander of the volunteer formation and the individual who submitted an application, in an approved form, for a term of 3 years.

Funding for the DFTO is the responsibility of local self-government bodies, but it is not mandatory, thus the issue of financial support for volunteers is decentralized.

Expert of the NGO "Legal Hundred" Angelina Slavic emphasizes that members of volunteer formations do not have military status and may be called up for military service (including during mobilization). The Law of Ukraine "On Military Duty and Military Service" does not apply to DFTO members, and they can leave the DFTO at any time at their own request.

According to part 1 of article 119 of the Labor Code, during the performance of state or public duties, if these duties can be carried out during working hours, employees are guaranteed the preservation of their job (position) and average earnings. Given the nature of service in the DFTO, which may involve not constant but periodic engagement of the employee in fulfilling their duties, the employer is not required to issue a dismissal order; each case should be assessed based on the level of the employee's involvement in territorial defense. This means that deferment from conscription for military service during mobilization is possible on general grounds.