Ukraine Announces Benefits for Released POWs

Ukrainian military personnel freed from captivity are entitled to a one-time payment of 100,000 UAH, annual compensation for each year spent in captivity, and 90 days of paid leave, the Ministry of Defense announced. This information was reported by Ukrinform.

The one-time payment is available upon verification of captivity status, and eligible individuals must submit a request to the Ministry of Development. Applications can be completed online at the Ministry's official website or the National Information Bureau.

To acquire the status of a person deprived of freedom due to aggression, a separate application needs to be filed with the Ministry of Development. Individuals can obtain a certificate confirming their captivity from the National Information Bureau.

The available medical package for those released includes various health checks, laboratory tests, consultations with specialists, and comprehensive medical evaluations. Released service members will also receive advice on further treatment, rehabilitation, and access to social services, including potential treatment abroad and legal assistance.

Released military personnel will automatically receive the status of combatant through the Unified State Register of War Veterans. This designation applies to those who were captured, and injuries or illnesses incurred while imprisoned are classified as combat-related.

There are provisions for priority housing assistance, retraining vouchers, preservation of employment, credit holidays, and targeted educational support. Upon their release, service members are entitled to take a single, uninterrupted 90-day leave during which they continue to receive their salary.

The leave cannot be split, and any request to rescind it requires the service member's consent. Furthermore, those released from captivity can voluntarily leave military service starting from May 2024, with the option of deferring mobilization through local centers for administrative services (CNAP).

Since February of last year, military personnel have been allowed to designate beneficiaries for their financial support in case of captivity or disappearance. These measures aim to ensure that those who have endured captivity receive the necessary aid and reintegration support into society.