How to obtain Combatant Status: procedures and pathways

The defense of the state demands exceptional effort and self-sacrifice. Accordingly, special support mechanisms have been put in place for those defending Ukraine. One such mechanism is the granting of Combatant Status. This is state recognition of a service member’s personal contribution to the defense of Ukraine, which ensures adequate social and legal safeguards and serves as a motivation for service. As a result of measures introduced by the Ministry of Defence, Combatant Status is now granted under a simplified and transparent procedure.

The Ministry of Defence provides clarifications on the nature of Combatant Status, the legal grounds for its granting, the categories of individuals eligible for it, and the procedure for obtaining the status.

What Combatant Status means

Combatant Status constitutes official state recognition of a service member’s contribution to the defense of the Homeland.

Eligibility for Combatant Status applies to service members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations established in accordance with the laws of Ukraine who:

• Participated directly in carrying out combat (service-related, special) tasks in areas of military (combat) operations.
• Carried out tasks in temporarily occupied territories.
• Completed a combat mission involving fire engagement of the enemy (as part of a missile forces or air defense unit), regardless of the area in which the mission was carried out.

The state also guarantees the preservation of the right to Combatant Status for service members who have been taken prisoner (excluding voluntary surrender) or are listed as missing in action during combat missions. In these circumstances, the procedure differs, since service members are physically unable to apply in person.

The procedure for the granting of Combatant Status is regulated by:

• The Law of Ukraine ‘On the Status of War Veterans and Guarantees of Their Social Protection.’
• Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Resolution No. 413 of 20 August 2014 (as amended by Resolution No. 1041 of 10 September 2024 introducing the automatic procedure).
• The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine Order No. 369 of 10 November 2022 approving the Regulations on the MoD Commissions for Reviewing Materials on Recognition as Combatants and the Instruction on the Procedure for Issuing ID Cards.

Two pathways to obtaining Combatant Status

Currently, there are two pathways for obtaining Combatant Status: automatically through the Unified State Register of War Veterans, and through the relevant Commissions for Reviewing Materials on Recognition as Combatants.

Pathway 1: Automatic

At present, this is the most convenient and fastest option. Service members are not required to submit reports or collect documents on their own.

Authorized officials of military units are required, within five days from the commencement of a service member’s combat mission, to enter the relevant information (on the period and area of mission execution) directly into the Unified State Register of War Veterans.

Combatant Status is granted automatically once the relevant entry is generated in the Register through its software systems.

Pathway 2: Through the Commission for Reviewing Materials on Recognition as Combatants

Authorized officials of the military unit prepare a Certificate confirming the individual’s direct participation in activities essential to the defense of Ukraine (the form is set out in Annex 6 to Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Resolution No. 413). The said Certificate, along with the necessary documents, is forwarded for review to the appropriate Commission for Reviewing Materials on Recognition as Combatants operating under the military command and administration authorities.

The Commission reviews the documents and takes a decision within one month (30 days) from the date of their receipt. Upon a positive decision, the Commission submits the information to the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine for inclusion in the Register, after which the status is deemed to have been obtained. The Commission also organizes the issuance of the ID card, which, once prepared, is transferred to the military unit for presentation to the service member.

Important note: In cases where a defender is taken prisoner or declared missing in action during the performance of combat missions, the responsibility for preparing and submitting the documents is assigned to the military unit commander. This must be completed within one month of the moment the relevant grounds arise (i.e., the individual being recognized as taken prisoner or missing in action).

Combatant Status may be denied in the following cases:

• Lack of legal grounds or required documentation;
• Submission of false information;
• A court conviction for an intentional serious or particularly serious crime committed during related activities.

Commission decisions can be appealed through judicial proceedings. If the reasons for denial are resolved, applicants may resubmit their documents.