Court Orders Ukrainian Defense Ministry to Pay 15 Million Hryvnias to Fallen Soldier's Family

Ruling by the Ternopil District Administrative Court

According to Главком: A Ukrainian court has mandated that the Ministry of Defense pay a one-time benefit of 15 million hryvnias to the wife and daughter of a deceased soldier. The Ternopil District Administrative Court issued this ruling after the ministry initially refused the payment, arguing the soldier died from an illness rather than a combat wound. This case highlights the complex legal battles families of deceased service members can face in seeking state support.

The soldier died in April 2023 in Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast, from acute coronary insufficiency. Presiding Judge Nadiia Derekh of the Ternopil court determined that the death occurred while the serviceman was performing his military duties under martial law conditions. The judge noted that because the soldier had no wounds, concussions, injuries, or mutilations, he did not fall into the category of combat fatalities typically eligible for an increased benefit.

Significance of Legal Protection

The court further stated that the soldier's wife, as the legal representative of their minor daughter, is entitled to the 15 million hryvnia payment under Ukrainian law.

“The court considers that the death of the serviceman (the claimant's husband and father of the minor daughter) occurred during the performance of his military duties (as a result of an illness related to the performance of his military duties),” the court decision states.

While the ruling can be appealed, it currently obligates the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense to pay the specified sum. In a separate case, the Kalush City District Court in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast found the head of a local military recruitment office guilty of exceeding authority and negligent performance of duty. Additionally, in Khmelnytskyi, the relatives of the Korolkov couple, who died on March 22, 2026, won a default judgment against Russia for compensation.

This instance underscores the critical role of legal recourse for the families of fallen Ukrainian soldiers during wartime. The court's decision may set a precedent for similar disputes over the status of deceased personnel and eligibility for compensation. Such rulings can also significantly impact the relationship between the defense ministry and military families seeking justice and support.

This ruling comes at a time when the situation for military families is evolving, especially as seen in another recent case where a missing soldier was found alive. This development has prompted discussions regarding support payments and the legal complexities that families navigate in securing their entitlements amid ongoing conflicts.