Cabinet resolution #948 of August 20, 2024 

Sponsor: the Cabinet 

Status: in effect since August 20, 2024 

Who is affected: the Ministry of Defense, Armed Forces, service members, employees of civil protection service, police officers, their family members, and local self-government bodies 

Summary: 

  • creates a support service for service members, civilian protection service personnel, police officers, and their families (hereinafter – the Support Service) 
  • provisions that the Support Service operates in all military units, educational establishments, and healthcare facilities under the Armed Forces of Ukraine 
  • the Support Service will focus on the following issues: 
    • assistance to service members, civil protection service workers, and police officers who have been injured in action 
    • communication with their families 
    • assistance in undergoing medical military commissions and medical and social expert commissions 
    • support for military personnel during hospitalization. The Support Service keeps in touch with doctors, helps obtain medications and other items required during treatment or rehabilitation, and maintains contact with the families of service members 
    • support for the families of service members who have died, gone missing, were captured, or interned. The Support Service assists them in applying for all benefits offered by the state 
    • return of personal belongings (if available) of captured or missing service members to their family members (with their consent or request) 
    • participation in the rehabilitation and adaptation of captives after their return 
    • processing documents necessary for receiving benefits and compensation 
    • assistance to service members, civil protection service workers, and police officers who are leaving service. The Support Service provides them assistance during the discharge process 
    • communication with state bodies and local self-government bodies 
  • the resolution identifies the social needs of military personnel, civil protection service personnel, police officers, and their families, including protection of their rights. The Service will also work towards ensuring equal opportunities for men and women and will focus on preventing and combating gender-based violence 
  • representatives of other services may be involved in the operation of the Support Service if necessary. 

What is right: the support services are established in all military units and will assist service members, police officers, and civil protection workers who constantly face significant stress and traumatic situations in wartime. The services help not only active military personnel and police officers but also the families of those who have died, gone missing, or was captured. 

Personnel of the Support Service will identify and assess the social needs of military personnel and clarify information with healthcare establishments regarding the needs of the injured and sick. They will provide necessary consultations and ensure communication between military personnel and organizations providing social services. 

Why this is important: additional support for those who protect others at the cost of their own lives and health demonstrates that the state values and supports people in service. At the same time, it is essential not only to help military personnel and their families overcome the red tape through the establishment of patronage services but also to make services more accessible for citizens, enhance communication between the authorities and families of the deceased and missing, as well as to make the of medical military commissions and medical and social expert commissions less hard for all citizens. 

Additional information: 

  • article by Yuliia Pietsko: No place for veterans? How the state policy on veterans in Ukraine should look like 
  • Points Considered podcast: (Un)protected defenders: how does the state care for the military, and what is wrong with the Ministry of Veterans Affairs?