Feb. 17, 2026, 7:08 a.m.
(PHOTOS: BPA)
On February 5, another 157 Ukrainians, both military and civilians, returned home as part of the prisoner of war exchange. 139 of those released had been in captivity since 2022.
Among those returning home are 19 illegally convicted defenders, 15 of whom were sentenced to life imprisonment. Mariupol defenders are also among those released.
In Ukraine, servicemen who are or have been in captivity are entitled to a number of financial benefits. While the military is in captivity, some of these payments can be received by their relatives.
The lawyers of the free legal aid (FLA) system explained what payments are provided, who can receive them and when.
Lawyers note that military personnel in captivity retain the right to financial support.
However, if the soldier has drawn up a personal order in advance in case of his capture, the funds will be paid in the amounts and to the people he has specified in this order. If the serviceman did not make such an order, the allowance will be paid in the following percentages:
Also, according to the lawyers of the FLA, upon release from captivity , servicemen can receive a one-time payment. The amount of such payment is 100 thousand UAH. Only those released from captivity can receive it. An online application can be submitted on the website of the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development.
In addition, according to lawyers, families of war prisoners while the person is still in captivity and those released from captivity are paid an annual allowance once a year. Its amount also reaches 100,000 UAH. An online application for such a payment can also be submitted on the website of the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development.
If a person decides to resign from service after capture or is unable to continue serving due to health or other circumstances, he or she will also receive a financial allowance upon discharge from service.
Thus, servicemen, except for servicemen in basic military service, are paid 50% of their monthly salary for each full year of service. Conscripted officers receive 50% of their monthly salary.
More details can be found in Part 2 of Article 15 of the Law of Ukraine "On Social and Legal Protection of Servicemen and Members of Their Families".
Володимир Шкаєв
Feb. 16, 2026
Russian governor sentenced to prison for supplying equipment to the occupying army in Kherson region