Ukraine will introduce a new ritual for soldiers whose bodies have not been recovered
On Thursday, June 4, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed Law No. 4875-IX amending the Charter of the Garrison and Guard Services of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The new document officially establishes a procedure for conducting a military farewell ceremony for fallen defenders whose traditional burial is impossible due to the absence of a body, remains, or ashes.
The adopted legislative initiative aims to streamline and modernize the ceremony by incorporating Ukrainian military traditions.
This innovation allows Ukrainian heroes to be accorded proper military honors at the state level, involving an honor guard and the use of state symbols.
From now on, the farewell ceremony will be held near cenotaphs—symbolic memorial structures and graves.
Earlier, during a session on May 14, the Verkhovna Rada supported the introduction of a military farewell ritual, with 273 members of parliament voting in favor of the bill.
Parliament explained that the bill was drafted for the families of servicemembers who defended Ukraine’s sovereignty and were declared deceased by a court.
Since the current regulations provided for honors to be rendered only during the actual burial or reburial, the law addresses this critical gap.
Official sources reported the adoption of the corresponding bill No. 15029.
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