Since the onset of the full-scale aggression, a significant number of demobilized veterans have returned to the ranks of the army. This, in turn, has created conditions for increased pressure on the state authorities responsible for social support for veterans, especially due to the rise in the number of individuals who have received the status of combatants or have become disabled as a result of the war.
As of July 1, 2022:
There were 438,834 registered combatants in Ukraine.
According to the Minister of Veterans Affairs, the number of veterans and their family members, including the families of the deceased, may rise to 4-5 million.
State Policy
State policy aimed at protecting veterans provides for a comprehensive system of benefits. These benefits extend to:
- Healthcare
- Material Support
- Tax Obligations
- Education
- Employment
- Housing
- Other Social Guarantees
Healthcare
In the healthcare sector, the benefits provided include measures for the restoration of the physical and psychological health of veterans:
Physical Health
- Physical Rehabilitation
- Prosthetics
- Sanatorium and resort treatment
Psychological Health
- Psychological Rehabilitation
- Psychosocial Support
- Decompression
Psychological Assistance
The Ministry of Veterans Affairs is responsible for organizing psychological rehabilitation services for veterans. These services are provided at three levels:
First Level
Psychosocial support and assistance
Second Level
Psychological Rehabilitation
Third Level
Comprehensive medical and psychological rehabilitation
Rehabilitation and Assistive Devices
The Ministry of Social Policy provides veterans with rehabilitation aids, including prosthetics. Veterans receive assistive rehabilitation devices (ARD) according to the overall state program.
Available rehabilitation aids:
- Orthopedic products
- Self-care tools
- Transportation vehicles
- Mobility and lifting equipment
- Specialized furniture and fittings
- Devices for orientation and communication
Prosthetics hotline:
+38 050-177-68-39
For individuals who have lost limbs
Note: In 2023, the provision of free priority sanatorium and resort treatment for veterans has been suspended due to budget constraints.
Financial Support
The Law of Ukraine "On the Status of War Veterans and Guarantees of Their Social Protection" defines the following types of material assistance:
Assistance during temporary disability
100% of the average salary, regardless of length of service
Assistance for individuals with disabilities as a result of combat actions
100% of the average salary
One-time monetary assistance by Independence Day of Ukraine
For combatants, the amount is determined by the Cabinet of Ministers
One-time payments
For the families of the deceased and those who have lost their ability to work due to injury or illness
Employment and Education
Employment and Education
- Job retention during service
- Annual leave at a convenient time
- Additional unpaid leave up to 3 weeks per year
Vouchers from the State Employment Center:
- Obtaining a new specialization
- Qualification improvement
- Obtaining a master's degree
Legislation and Reforms
The main law that defines the status of veterans and regulates their state support is the Law of Ukraine "On the Status of War Veterans and Guarantees of Their Social Protection" dated October 22, 1993, No. 3552-XII.
Comprehensive review of the veteran social protection system:
Conducted every three years by the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine in collaboration with other state bodies.
The Ministry of Veterans is working on creating a new support system for veterans that will take into account not only social protection.
Draft Law "On the Basics of State Veteran Policy":
Envisaged by the Government's Priority Actions Plan for 2023, where veteran policy is one of the main areas.