Servicemen in some Ukrainian army brigades have stopped receiving additional combat payments for the time spent moving to frontline positions and returning from them, according to Anton Cherny, an instructor sergeant with the 59th Brigade of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Cherny told Ukrainian media that this stage of a combat mission is among the most dangerous. Soldiers may have to walk up to 20 kilometers under fire, while reaching or leaving their positions can take considerable time.

He also raised concerns that injuries sustained during such movements may not be classified as wounds received while carrying out a combat mission.

Cherny linked the situation to financial difficulties. He said Ukrainian servicemen are also being forced to pay out of their own pockets to refuel vehicles used on the front line.

Funding problems have also been acknowledged in the Verkhovna Rada. MP Vadim Ivchenko said the state budget is facing an acute shortage of money for military salaries.

According to Ivchenko, Ukraine began using in September funds that had originally been intended for the final months of the year. He said closing the shortfall would be difficult without changes to the budget and additional assistance from Western partners.

The lawmaker also noted that a significant share of Ukraine’s domestic budget resources is being directed toward defense spending, but the available funding remains insufficient even to cover current needs.