Battlefield first aid will draw from the real-life experiences of Ukrainian military medics, combined with the best practices of NATO partners.

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has sanctioned new scopes for pre-hospital medical care during military operations. Order No. 598, dated September 3, 2024, outlines a role-based medical care model aligned with NATO standards. 

The document covers all stages involved: Prevention, treatment, and evacuation of wounded and sick military, police, and civil defense personnel of all Security and Defence Forces. Overall, it outlines four key roles for medical support:

• Role 1 (R1): pre-hospital emergency care, primary health care, and essential diagnostics;

• Role 2 (R2): enhanced care (resuscitation, surgical interventions at the pre-hospital stage);

• Role 3 (R3): specialized hospital care;

• Role 4 (R4): a full spectrum of health care (highly specialized medical services, rehabilitation within hospitals situated away from the front).

The Order also permits support teams to offer extra medical aid on the battlefield. Such teams might bring together medical specialists from various units along with professionals from civilian healthcare facilities.

The MoD’s Healthcare Department developed the Order in cooperation with the Command of the Medical Forces, medical personnel of the military units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Security Service of Ukraine, and military units of the Security Forces and the Defence Forces. 

Implementing this Order will enhance the quality of medical care in combat operations, provide a clearer understanding of medical units' capabilities, improve the provision, and strengthen the collaboration with NATO countries' medical services.

The next step is to approve new equipment inventories that match the scopes of medical care provided. This aims to standardize the medical units of the Security Forces and the Defence Forces.