MoD provides clarification on whether foreigners and stateless persons can obtain Combatant Status

Foreign nationals and stateless persons who serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the State Special Transport Service may obtain Combatant Status. The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine reminds that obtaining such status is regulated by several legislative acts.

In particular, according to the Law of Ukraine ‘On the Status of War Veterans and Guarantees of Their Social Protection’ (hereinafter – the Law), military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are recognized as combatants if they defended the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine and directly participated in activities essential to the defense of Ukraine, the protection of civilian security, and the safeguarding of national interests in response to the military aggression of the russian federation.

At the same time, foreign nationals and stateless persons (hereinafter – foreign nationals) who serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine in accordance with the Law of Ukraine ‘On Military Duty and Military Service’ are considered equivalent to military personnel.

“Given the above, foreign nationals whose service complies with the requirements of these laws may obtain Combatant Status. They must follow the same procedures as Ukrainian citizens,” explained Colonel Serhii Halimskyi, Director of the Department of Social Support at the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.