Ministry of Defence official statement: Family of service member Nazar Daletsky is not required to return government payments

Protecting the rights of service members and their families is an unconditional priority for the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. The return of a defender who was previously believed to have been killed is an extremely important event for his loved ones and for the entire country. Any further distress to a family that has already endured exceptionally difficult circumstances is unacceptable.

The Ministry of Defence has neither legal grounds nor any intention to reconsider the decision to provide funds to the family of service member Nazar Daletsky, and does not intend to require their return to the state.

Overview of events

On February 5, 2026, service member Nazar Daletsky returned to Ukraine from russian captivity after being held as a prisoner of war. He had been presumed killed since September 2022. In 2023, a burial took place following identification through DNA testing.

Statements appeared in the public domain alleging that the family might be required to return the state payments received in connection with the service member’s death.

Nazar Daletsky’s family is not required to return payments

All entitled payments to the defender’s family were made in accordance with applicable Ukrainian law and based on the circumstances officially established at the time. As of today, the Ministry of Defence has no legal grounds to reconsider the decision or to require the family to return the funds received.

This situation is unique and involves a legal conflict that requires the most delicate, carefully balanced approach. The circumstances surrounding the establishment of the service member’s death require further review.

The Ministry of Defence will continue to monitor the situation until all circumstances and details have been fully clarified.