New Military Ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Ukraine is implementing NATO standards within the Ministry of Defence, the Armed Forces, and other components of the security and defence sector. The list of applicable standards was most recently updated on August 19, 2026. Notably, new military ranks have also been introduced in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The transition to a personnel classification system based on NATO codes reflects the specific role of each service member within the structure of the Armed Forces.

What Exactly Has Changed in the Military Ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The main goal of the reform is to clearly distinguish between the functions of officers and sergeants. In the updated rank system, the sergeant corps has become the backbone of the army rather than merely an administrative support structure.

Another objective of the changes is to ensure compatibility between the military rank system and NATO coding. This is necessary for seamless operational cooperation, joint planning, and training with allied armed forces.

The first step was to eliminate Soviet-era ranks. The following titles were removed from the structure of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: “praporshchik” (warrant officer), “senior praporshchik” (senior warrant officer), “michman” (midshipman, in the Navy), as well as “General of the Army of Ukraine” and “Colonel General.”

A fully developed sergeant leadership structure was established, and formal positions were eliminated. Instead, a multi-level hierarchy of sergeant and senior enlisted ranks was introduced. It is divided into junior, senior, and highest levels. At the unit level, this enabled sergeants to lead units and oversee military training. Officers were able to redirect their resources toward strategic planning.

General officer ranks were transformed. New ranks fully corresponding to NATO codes (OF-6 – OF-9) replaced the Soviet-era titles. The current ranks are Brigadier General, Major General, Lieutenant General, and General.

The visual insignia also underwent changes. Four-pointed stars replaced the Soviet five-pointed stars on shoulder boards. The new insignia draws on the traditions of the Ukrainian Galician Army and the Army of the Ukrainian People's Republic.

Current Hierarchy of Military Ranks in the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The updated military rank structure of the Ukrainian army is divided into categories.

Enlisted Personnel

This is the basic category of military personnel. Its members carry out direct combat and specialized tasks as part of their units. The ranks in this category are:

• Recruit – the initial rank for individuals undergoing a probationary period or basic general military training before taking the Military Oath.
• Soldier – the basic initial military rank for a service member who has taken the oath.
• Senior Soldier – a rank in the Armed Forces of Ukraine awarded for exemplary performance of duties, experience, and discipline.

Personnel in this category may eventually earn their first sergeant ranks.

Sergeant and Senior Enlisted Personnel

This category has undergone the most extensive reform. It is divided into three levels and provides direct leadership for service members in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The junior sergeant ranks are as follows:

• Junior Sergeant (squad, crew, or tank commander);
• Sergeant.

The senior sergeant ranks include:

• Senior Sergeant;
• Chief Sergeant.

The highest level of the sergeant corps includes the following military ranks, in ascending order:

• Staff Sergeant;
• Master Sergeant;
• Senior Master Sergeant;
• Chief Master Sergeant.

The sergeant corps has become the key link between soldiers and officers. 

Officer Corps

This corps is responsible for operational command, planning, and leadership of units at various levels.

Junior officer ranks in the Armed Forces of Ukraine:

• Second Lieutenant (usually serves as a platoon commander);
• Lieutenant;
• Senior Lieutenant;
• Captain.

Senior officer ranks:

• Major;
• Lieutenant Colonel;
• Colonel.

Personnel at this level are eligible for promotion to the general officer ranks.

General Officer Corps

Military personnel in this category exercise strategic command over joint forces and branches of the armed forces. The general officer corps includes the following ranks:

• Brigadier General (the initial general officer rank, usually corresponding to the position of brigade commander or deputy commander);
• Major General;
• Lieutenant General;
• General.

The transition to this new rank system has brought Ukrainian military leadership closer to NATO standards and made military command clearer and more effective.

Military Ranks in the Navy

The Ukrainian Navy has its own rank system. It corresponds fully to the army rank system in terms of status and authority but uses traditional naval titles.

For example, the Navy has seamen instead of soldiers and senior enlisted personnel instead of sergeants. Senior naval officers also use captain ranks: Captain 3rd Rank, Captain 2nd Rank, and Captain 1st Rank correspond to Major, Lieutenant Colonel, and Colonel, respectively.

The first general officer-level rank in the Navy is Commodore, corresponding to Brigadier General. The next ranks are Rear Admiral, Vice Admiral, and Admiral.

Military Rank Equivalency Table

Where Are Military Rank Insignia Worn?

In the modern Ukrainian army, the placement and appearance of military patches are standardized. Functional requirements and the need for camouflage in combat conditions are also taken into account.

Field uniforms, which serve as the primary combat uniform, use removable shoulder boards (slip-on shoulder straps). These are attached to a special central hook-and-loop fastening panel on the chest. This design prevents shoulder boards from rubbing against the service member's body when wearing body armor or a load-bearing system.

Field uniform shoulder boards use subdued insignia in protective colors. These include black, dark green, or olive insignia against a camouflage background (MM-14, Multicam).

On the everyday and dress uniforms of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, rank insignia are displayed on shoulder boards. The insignia are made of metal or embroidered with gold- or silver-colored thread.

Rank insignia for the new ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine:

• Insignia for enlisted personnel and sergeant shoulder boards consist of chevrons of varying widths and numbers, as well as curved stripes for senior sergeant personnel.
• Officer rank insignia consist of diamond-shaped stars and braided designs for senior and general officers.
• Insignia for the general officer corps feature four-pointed stars positioned above a crossed-maces design.

In addition to shoulder boards, a service member's branch or service affiliation is identified by insignia on headgear and collars. These emblems indicate the service member's specific specialization, such as medical services, armored forces, artillery, and others.

In our online store, you will find military clothing, shoulder boards and patches for the new military ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as other military products.