The Central Department for the Protection of Service Members’ Rights processed over 5,000 appeals over the past year

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence’s Central Department for the Protection of Service Members’ Rights (CDPSMR) processed over 5,000 appeals and inquiries from service members and their families during its first year of operation. 

In 2024, the Department received 2,340 appeals, and in less than half of 2025, that number has already reached 2,734 — a reflection of growing trust and the clear demand among service members for professional legal assistance.

As a result of the measures taken, the rights of 2,038 service members and their families have been reinstated, including 1,037 cases in 2025.

If signs of a criminal offense are uncovered while reviewing appeals or complaints, the CDPSMR forwards the case to law enforcement. Overall, the Department submitted 45 reports of suspected criminal violations to the State Bureau of Investigation, with 19 reports in 2024 and 26 reports in 2025. 

Additionally, 32 inspections were conducted to verify adherence to the rights of service members, with 11 inspections in 2024 and 21 in 2025. 

CDPSMR officers played a leading role in drafting the Law of Ukraine ‘On the Military Ombudsman,’ which was submitted by the President of Ukraine as urgent legislation and approved at its first reading by the Verkhovna Rada on June 3, 2025. 

“Our Department’s mission extends beyond offering qualified legal support to those who turn to us for protection — we also work to promote systemic reforms, including legislative amendments, aimed at preventing future violations and ensuring appropriate legal evaluation of those already committed,” said Colonel Ruslan Tsyhankov, Head of the Central Department for the Protection of Service Members’ Rights.

The CDPSMR will continue to serve as a reliable platform for the legal protection of all our defenders. 

To contact the Central Department for the Protection of Service Members’ Rights, please use the following email address:

A request or appeal must include:

• Complainant’s full name (or the name of the entity submitting the complaint on behalf of the service member or their family).
• Contact details for follow-up communication.
• A description of the issue.
• A specific request or demand.
• Documents verifying the complainant’s authority, if the complaint is submitted on behalf of the service member by another party.
• Evidence of the violation, if available.