There are already more than 2 million veterans in Ukraine, says Lubinets
There are already more than 2 million veterans in Ukraine, and their numbers will continue to grow. At the same time, veteran policy will influence Ukrainian society and the state for at least the next 30 years.
“There are already more than 2 million veterans in Ukraine—and their numbers will continue to grow. Veterans’ policy is an issue that will influence Ukrainian society and the state for at least the next 30 years,” Lubinets noted.
According to the ombudsman, the state of veterans’ policy was analyzed in a special report that took over two years to complete.
It was based on actual appeals from male and female veterans received by the Ombudsman’s Office since 2022.
“We conducted monitoring visits and expert studies, and utilized specific expert materials developed by both civil society organizations and our international partners. Most importantly, we gathered information from concerned individuals working in this field,” Lubinets said.
The report also includes the results of a survey of male and female veterans. The survey was conducted by the Commissioner’s Office and the Council of Europe, with 1,000 veterans participating.
According to the survey results, nearly half of the veterans believe that the state does not sufficiently protect their rights.
At the same time, 30% of respondents are aware of government services but have not sought them out or do not know how to access them.
“More than 16% of respondents reported negative experiences when trying to access services for veterans,” Lubinets added.
Separately, the ombudsman reported on the situation regarding legal and psychological assistance:
- only 25% of communities in Ukraine provide legal assistance to veterans;
- psychological assistance is provided by only 18% of communities.
According to Lubinets, funding for such assistance is provided by international partners, the public sector, or private businesses.
Lubinec emphasized that upon returning from the war, veterans should not have to fight for their rights and justice on their own.
“Our veterans shouldn’t have to fight on two fronts. The first is on the battlefield, defending Ukraine. The second is after they return home, fighting for their rights, dignity, and justice in their struggle against the system,” the Ombudsman stated.
As an example, he cited the story of veteran Mykhailo Bakaliuk, who lost a leg during the war and now gets around with prosthetic limbs.
After receiving veteran status, Bakalyuk became involved in shaping veteran policy in his local community and became deputy head of the Department of Veteran Policy at the Vertiivka City Council.
However, according to Lubinets, after the veteran began working to streamline veterans’ policy, he faced unfounded accusations, criminal proceedings, and unlawful dismissal.
“But as soon as he began to bring order to veterans’ policy, he faced unfounded accusations, the opening of a criminal case, and unlawful dismissal, and only through a court ruling was his good name restored,” the commissioner emphasized.
Lubinec stressed that Bakalyuk’s story highlights problems in how veterans are treated after their return from the front lines.
“In my view, this is nonsense,” he said.
According to the ombudsman, this situation also reflects the performance of numerous government agencies that deal with veterans’ policy issues on a daily basis.
“A person who has devoted years of their life and health to the state should not have to prove to that same state that they deserve respect,” Lubinets added.
He emphasized that returning from the front lines should mean a return to civilian life, not the start of a new struggle. The state, he said, has no right to abandon its veterans after they return from the front lines.
Dmytro Lubinets, the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, announced this on Facebook during the presentation of the Special Report “On the Status of Implementation of Veterans’ Policy in Ukraine.”
By 2027, the government plans to bring more than half of veteran services in line with uniform standards. This means that veterans should receive the same level of support regardless of which region or community they live in. The government also plans to create new jobs for veterans, establish veteran centers, and expand support programs for their families.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the government and parliament to review current legislation on veterans and modernize it. He also proposed considering the creation of a separate Veterans’ Code that would address the rights and needs of veterans and their families.
