From Battlefield to Bureaucracy: Veteran of Three Wars Aids Soldiers with Passport Issues

Yuriy Sklyarenko: A Veteran Serving Veterans

According to Державна міграційна служба: Following his discharge from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, war veteran Yuriy Sklyarenko has taken on a new role as a veterans' assistant at Branch No. 2 of the Main Directorate of the State Migration Service (DMS) in Dnipropetrovsk region. In this capacity, he leverages his military experience and knowledge to assist fellow veterans and their families with passport and documentation issues.

Yuriy Sklyarenko is a retired lieutenant colonel who has seen combat in three major conflicts:

• Afghanistan
• The Anti-Terrorist Operation
• The full-scale war with Russia

Born and raised in the village of Topchyne in the Magdalinivskyi district of Dnipropetrovsk region, he enrolled in the Dnipropetrovsk Higher Anti-Aircraft Missile Command School after finishing secondary school. After serving in the Turkestan Military District, Yuriy returned to Ukraine following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

A New Mission in Civil Service

In 2024, Sklyarenko was discharged from the Ukrainian Armed Forces due to length of service and age. Since January 7 of this year, he has held the position of chief specialist within the veterans' assistant institute at the DMS. This opportunity stems from an initiative by Ukraine's Ministry of Internal Affairs, which has offered veterans employment within its system as a crucial step in supporting the nation's defenders. As an experienced soldier, Yuriy Sklyarenko actively contributes to this program, helping his comrades navigate complex bureaucratic procedures.

The story of Yuriy Sklyarenko reflects the state's efforts to integrate veterans into civilian life after their service.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs' proposal to employ veterans is part of a broader strategy to support service members returning from the front lines. This initiative not only helps veterans find new purpose and employment but also utilizes their unique skills and discipline for the benefit of society. Such programs are vital for the long-term reintegration of a generation shaped by conflict.