Ukraine wants to change payments to military personnel after injuries: what the draft law provides

In Ukraine, it is proposed to change the rules for providing financial support to servicemen who, due to serious injuries, contusions or illnesses, are forced to undergo treatment for more than a year. In particular, this concerns the preservation of payments for defenders who are physically unable to pass a military medical commission due to prolonged treatment, including abroad.

The relevant changes are provided for by draft law No. 13704-d, the Office of the Military Ombudsman reported.

Why was it necessary to change the rules

According to the current rules, a serviceman has the right to financial support during treatment. However, continuous stay in a hospital with appropriate payments is limited to 12 months.

After that, the serviceman must undergo a medical examination, which should determine his suitability for further military service.

In practice, situations arise when, after a year of treatment, the condition of the serviceman still does not allow him to pass the commission. This problem is especially acute for wounded defenders who are undergoing treatment outside of Ukraine.

As a result, the serviceman risks finding himself in a kind of legal trap: the treatment has not yet been completed, it is impossible to pass the VLK, and the payment period stipulated by the current rules is expiring.

It is this gap that is proposed to be eliminated by bill No. 13704-d.

100 thousand hryvnias after a year of treatment

One of the key proposals is to maintain an additional reward of 100 thousand hryvnias per month for servicemen with serious injuries or illnesses whose inpatient treatment lasts for more than a year.

It is proposed to extend this mechanism to Ukrainian servicemen undergoing long-term treatment abroad.

Thus, the expiration of the 12-month period in itself should not deprive a seriously injured serviceman of appropriate financial support if his health condition does not allow him to complete the treatment and undergo the necessary procedures.

For whom is the payment of 50 thousand hryvnia proposed

The bill also provides for a new payment of 50 thousand hryvnia per month for servicemen who were injured not directly during the performance of a combat mission.

In particular, this concerns injuries received at training grounds, in training centers or as a result of enemy shelling.

Lifelong maintenance after serious injuries

Another significant change concerns servicemen whose injuries are irreversible.

For defenders who have lost a limb, another organ or its functions as a result of an injury, it is proposed to introduce lifelong maintenance.

In addition, the bill provides for granting the status of a person with a disability as a result of war to servicemen who have suffered injuries, mental disorders or illnesses while in captivity.

Changes will also affect foreigners in the Defense Forces

A separate block of the bill concerns foreigners and stateless persons who are serving in the military in the Defense Forces of Ukraine.

They are offered to guarantee free treatment and rehabilitation.

When the new payments may come into effect

The Office of the Military Ombudsman supported the proposed changes and reported on its participation in the work of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Social Policy and Protection of Veterans’ Rights.

The Committee approved the relevant amendments and recommended that the parliament adopt draft law No. 13704-d in the second reading and as a whole.

At the same time, it is important: the new rules are not yet in force. Currently, this is a legislative initiative. For the changes to come into force, the document must be approved by the Verkhovna Rada and undergo further procedures stipulated by law.