Two teams were relegated from the 2008–09 Ukrainian Premier League.
Three teams were promoted from the 2008–09 Ukrainian Second League.
Due to the 2009 flu pandemic which affected Ukraine in late October the PFL decide to break for winter earlier than they originally scheduled.
Prior to the beginning of the season FC Ihroservice Simferopol failed to pay their license dues for the season.
To allow an extra team to be promoted, the PFL determined that a playoff game between the 2nd placed teams from Druha Liha – Arsenal Bila Tserkva and FC Poltava would determine the vacancy.