Draft bill #12205 of November 13, 2024
Sponsor: Cabinet of Ministers
Status: sent for review to the Committee on Social Policy and Veterans’ Rights Protection
Who is affected: veterans and service members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military units
Summary:
- service members awarded three distinctions of the Cross of Military Merit by the President of Ukraine will gain the status of individuals who provided distinguished services to the Motherland. They will be entitled to the following state guarantees:
- an additional monthly payment equal to the minimum wage set as of January 1 of the current year (from April 1, 2024, it amounts to 8,000 UAH)
- free burial at the National Military Memorial Cemetery for deceased service members with this status.
What is right: the bill aims to strengthen social guarantees for those who have made special contributions to the defense of the country. State combat awards on behalf of the President will ensure service members that their contributions are valued not only by the Armed Forces but by the whole state as well.
What is wrong: the procedure for selecting, submitting, and receiving state awards should be updated.
Alternative solution: to adapt to the challenges of wartime and the process of large-scale decolonization ongoing in Ukraine due to the Russian invasion, a comprehensive reform of the state awards system is needed. This reform must reflect the new realities and demands of society. Furthermore, clear mechanisms should be introduced for commanders to incentivize personnel with non-monetary rewards, such as badges and departmental accolades, which would create additional incentives and boost the morale of the military.
How to help the legislator: proposals concerning the draft bill can be sent to the Committee of the Verkhovna Rada on Social Policy and Veterans’ Rights Protection.
Additional information: article by Oksana Zabolotna and Daria Bevziuk: Who are our heroes? What is wrong with the state award system in Ukraine and how to fix it.