Establishing Consistent Dialogue with Families of Missing and Fallen Service Members
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has initiated a new series of regular meetings with coordinators representing families of soldiers who have died, gone missing, or been taken prisoner. These gatherings aim to foster open communication channels to identify challenges and collaboratively develop solutions. The inaugural session featured Deputy Defense Minister Liubov Halan alongside coordinators from the Ukrainian Ground Forces families. Nearly 40 coordinators and representatives from associations supporting families of prisoners of war and missing persons attended, agreeing to form a joint working group dedicated to ongoing communication and advocacy efforts.
Key Topics Addressed and Upcoming Reforms
During the meeting, participants discussed critical issues such as:
- Clarifying the circumstances surrounding missing soldiers;
- Collection and preservation of biological samples;
- Locating servicemen who remain unaccounted for;
- Updating the official status of captured soldiers;
- Managing personal directives of servicemen;
- Operations of military medical commissions;
- Returning personal belongings to families;
- Providing social support to relatives;
- Financial entitlements and compensation;
- One-time monetary assistance;
- Honoring families of deceased soldiers.
The Ministry is working on reforms to allow electronic submission and centralized registration of personal directives. Draft amendments to regulatory acts are underway to enable reclassification of servicemen’s status from "missing under special circumstances" to "prisoner of war (hostage)" based on extracts issued by the Coordination Headquarters' information system. A draft order proposing changes to the Ministry’s personnel accounting instructions has also been prepared.
In cases where a soldier’s death is confirmed, they will be removed from personnel records effective from the death record date specified in the official death certificate issued by civil registry authorities. By the end of September, changes are expected to be approved that prevent appeals against court decisions recognizing a serviceman as deceased or missing. Additionally, a new concept for social support of military personnel and their families is being developed jointly with the Ukrainian General Staff.
The Ministry has resumed work on bill No. 13427, which aims to grant adult children (up to age 23) the right to receive a portion of the financial benefits of a serviceman who is missing or held captive. Provisions are also being considered to allow representatives to submit applications for one-time financial aid, and the procedures for disbursing such assistance under Cabinet of Ministers’ resolutions are being clarified. Compensation related to the death of a serviceman is paid over 80 months, or as a lump sum if the death occurred during military service.
Efforts are underway to simplify and speed up the process of returning personal effects to families of soldiers who have died or gone missing under special circumstances. Proposed changes include documenting the presence of personal and valuable items without requiring approval from the military unit commander, following the Ministry’s personnel accounting guidelines.
Concluding the meeting, Liubov Halan emphasized: "These meetings will be held regularly. It’s crucial for us to hear directly from families so we don’t overlook issues invisible within the Ministry. We want to identify recurring problems, understand what isn’t working in military units, and address these together with the General Staff and all relevant authorities. Behind every issue is a family seeking clear answers and concrete action."
The establishment of these ongoing consultations between Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense and families’ coordinators signals a growing commitment to addressing the concerns of those affected by loss and uncertainty. This initiative represents a vital step toward improving support mechanisms and ensuring families receive timely information and assistance. Incorporating their perspectives in decision-making processes promises to enhance outcomes for many households coping with the hardships of conflict.