Bill No. 13646: Social Protection for Military Personnel
The Ukrainian Parliament has approved in its first reading Bill No. 13646, designed to standardize the social protection framework for military personnel and their families. This legislation reforms the support system for the families of those killed or missing in action by establishing a unified payment procedure and defining the social guarantees of military service.
A key provision is the standardization of payments to service members' families. Families of those missing in action will continue to receive approximately 120,000 hryvnias per month. Should the death be confirmed, the state will pay the family the remaining balance, bringing the total assistance to 15 million hryvnias. Mykhailo Fedorov noted that this introduces a single, transparent approach to payments, eliminating different rules for identical circumstances.
Guarantees for Service Members
The bill also codifies social guarantees for service members before, during, and after their service. During active duty, personnel are guaranteed financial, medical, food, and material support. Upon returning from service, they retain the right to return to their previous job or one of equivalent rank.
- Leave for family circumstances
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation as decided by a military medical commission
- Housing, free travel, and postal services
On February 24, a rally in Kyiv demonstrated support for prisoners of war and missing Ukrainians. Relatives of service members from the 3057th unit of Ukraine's National Guard gathered, highlighting the 48 months many have spent in captivity or unknown status. Bill No. 13646 aims to enhance social protection and ensure dignified conditions for defenders' families. This legislative effort comes as Ukraine continues to adapt its support systems for the immense human cost of the ongoing war.
The adoption of this bill could mark a significant step in improving social safeguards for military personnel and their families, particularly amid the protracted conflict. Ensuring dignified living conditions for the families of the fallen and missing is a crucial component of supporting service members and their loved ones, which may positively impact the morale of the armed forces and society as a whole.