Government Urged to Act as Hundreds of Thousands Face Pension Cuts in 2026
Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets has formally petitioned the government regarding the impending termination of pension payments to more than 280,000 individuals at the start of 2026. In his official submission to the Minister of Social Policy, Family, and Unity of Ukraine, he demanded the uniform application of Resolution No. 299, an extension of identification deadlines, and the reinstatement of pension disbursements. This situation highlights the ongoing administrative challenges in Ukraine's social safety net amidst broader national difficulties.
Official figures show that in December 2025, pensions were being received by 1,033,574 people. However, by February 2026, the number of pension recipients had plummeted to 750,004. This indicates a sharp reduction, leaving 283,570 individuals without their pension payments at the time of the Ombudsman's appeal. His office reports receiving numerous daily complaints from citizens now facing severe financial hardship.
283,570 people are still without pension payments: an immediate solution is required.
Dmytro Lubinets
The most vulnerable groups left without this essential support include:
- The elderly
- Persons with disabilities
- Veterans
- Families of fallen military personnel
The cessation of these payments creates profound difficulties for these individuals, and the government is being called upon to take urgent action to resolve the crisis. The loss of financial support threatens to severely degrade their standard of living and could contribute to social instability, underscoring the need for a prompt governmental response to prevent more people from being deprived of essential means of survival.