1. This Order of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine No. 187 dated May 12, 2026, updates the list of officer positions that may be filled by sergeant and senior enlisted personnel under martial law. The document is aimed at optimizing the staffing of the Armed Forces of Ukraine by expanding opportunities for appointing experienced sergeants to officer positions. In practice, this is a mechanism that allows for filling vacant officer positions with specialists who do not hold officer rank, provided they meet service requirements.
2. The structure of the act consists of a directive part and an updated List of Positions, presented in table format. The table systematizes positions by groups of military occupational specialties (MOS), identifying specific specialty codes that are subject to substitution. The main change compared to the previous version (Order No. 611 of 2023) is the restatement of the List in a new version, which updates the list of positions and specialties in accordance with the current needs of the army.
3. The most important provisions for practical application are:
* **Definition of positions:** The List clearly delineates MOS groups (from combat operations command to logistics support) in which sergeants may replace officers.
* **Limitations:** Exceptions have been established for a number of specialties (positions not subject to such substitution), which is important to consider in personnel planning.
* **Maximum rank:** According to the note to the List, the substitution of positions by sergeant personnel implies a maximum military rank of “Captain”.
* **Legal force:** The Order entered into force on May 26, 2026, making it mandatory for application by the personnel bodies of the Armed Forces of Ukraine when appointing military personnel to the relevant positions.
