Military unit representatives must submit records to the register within 5 days
Combatant status grants eligibility for state benefits and social guarantees to service members, volunteers, ATO participants, as well as foreigners and stateless persons who defended Ukraine. In most cases, the status is granted automatically, but if records are missing, documents can be submitted independently. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine (Василина Копитко) citing the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
Authorised representatives of military units are required to submit records to the Unified State Register of War Veterans within five days after a service member begins a combat mission. Following this, combatant status is granted automatically, with notifications sent via email or through the military unit’s electronic portal.
The automatic procedure also applies to fighters who are missing in action or captured. In such circumstances, their family members are entitled to statutory benefits without submitting additional applications.
Self-Submission and Procedures Following Discharge
If military command has not entered the required information, the service member can apply independently via the Diia portal using an electronic signature or send an application by post to the relevant departmental commission. Documents confirming direct participation in combat operations or state defence measures must accompany the application.
Departmental review commissions operate within the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Police, the National Guard, the Security Service of Ukraine, the State Border Guard Service, and the State Emergency Service. The review period for submitted documents is 30 days.
Discharged service members who remain on the military register can apply for combatant status through territorial recruitment and social support centres (TCC and SP). The recruitment centre has the authority to request necessary certificates directly from the military unit or seek a court order if the unit fails to provide them. If an individual is deregistered or served outside the Armed Forces of Ukraine, applications must be submitted to the commission of the relevant agency.
Procedures for Civilian Volunteers
A separate procedure applies to civilian volunteers who participated in the defence of Ukraine. It covers participation in the Anti-Terrorist Operation before 23 February 2018, as well as state defence against Russian armed aggression between 24 February and 25 March 2022.
Volunteers submit application packages to the interagency commission of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs through administrative service centres (CNAPs) regardless of registered residence, or directly to the ministry by post. Following approval, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs enters the information into the register and issues an official ID and badge.
Citizens can obtain an extract from the Unified State Register of War Veterans via the Single Window service at any CNAP to confirm their status and claim social benefits.
Illustrative photo: Ministry of Defence / OGL v1.0
Read also: Does international aid affect pension amounts in Ukraine
