Overhaul of Support Systems for Military Personnel and Civilians
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed Decree No. 483/2026, launching a reform of the support framework for military personnel and civilians affected by Russian aggression. This reform eliminates four advisory bodies that had been operating between 2020 and 2022 and creates a new consultative-advisory entity: the Coordination Council for the Protection of the Rights of War Veterans, Prisoners, and Missing Persons. The move reflects Kyiv’s ongoing efforts to streamline governance and address growing needs stemming from the war.
The newly established Coordination Council, a permanent advisory body under the president, is tasked with developing proposals and drafting regulatory acts to improve legal and social guarantees. Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, has been appointed as its chair, while Deputy Head of the Office Iryna Vereshchuk will serve as secretary. The council’s membership includes key ministers and agency heads:
- Mykhailo Fedorov (Minister of Defense)
- Oleh Ivashchenko (Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate)
- Yevhenii Khmara (Acting Head of the Security Service of Ukraine)
- Rustem Umierov (Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council)
- Ihor Klymenko (Minister of Internal Affairs)
- Nataliia Kalmykova (Minister of Veterans Affairs)
- Olha Kobylynska (Military Ombudsman)
Dmytro Lubinets and Artur Dobrosierdov will also participate in the council’s work. All members will serve on a voluntary basis.
Key Aspects of the Reform
Under the new decree, four previous presidential acts issued in 2020, 2021, and 2022 have been revoked. A central goal of the reform is to strengthen the institutional capacity of state authorities and local governments in the areas of veterans policy and rehabilitation. Additionally, the council aims to develop nationwide mechanisms for properly honoring fallen Ukrainian defenders and analyze the effectiveness of both national and international frameworks for protecting the rights of persons who have gone missing under special circumstances.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has also approved a financial compensation payout totaling 5.67 billion hryvnias, marking another step in supporting aggression-affected individuals. These measures are designed to improve living conditions for military personnel and civilians who have endured the consequences of war.
Reforming the support system for veterans and war-affected individuals is a critical step in addressing Ukraine’s escalating needs.
Source: Office of the President of Ukraine
The creation of the new Coordination Council could lead to more effective policies for protecting veterans’ rights, which is essential for ensuring social stability and rehabilitating those impacted by the conflict. The compensation payment further underscores the state’s commitment to citizens who have suffered losses and injuries due to the war.
In light of the ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing support for military personnel and their families, it is crucial to recognize the recent measures taken for the benefit of released prisoners of war. These individuals will receive a financial aid package of 100,000 Hryvnias each, which underscores the government's commitment to addressing the needs of those affected by the conflict. To learn more about this initiative and its implications for veterans, click here.