The Ministry of Defence will establish the first Mental Health Center for service members at a reclaimed elite facility near Kyiv

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine will transform a former private membership hunting and fishing club in the Kyiv region into the first Mental Health Center for military personnel. This land plot and the associated real estate were returned to state ownership following protracted legal proceedings.

Previously inaccessible to the public and used as a retreat for politicians, business figures, and senior officials, the complex will now serve those who defend the country. The complex has been assigned to the National Military Medical Clinical Center ‘Main Military Clinical Hospital.’

The new center will specialize in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as depressive and anxiety disorders. It will also assist veterans' social adaptation by integrating physical and psychological rehabilitation.

“This case demonstrates how state assets can be repurposed for the public good. What was once a symbol of privilege and exclusivity will now become a hub of support for those who have sacrificed their health for Ukraine. Initiatives like this build a truly socially responsible nation,” said Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Brigadier General of Justice Serhii Melnyk.

Launching the center will require extensive renovation of the facilities, which have been in a state of disrepair for years, as well as the recruitment of qualified specialists, including psychologists, psychiatrists, rehabilitation therapists, and medical staff.

The land plot and the associated real estate were illegally withdrawn from state ownership, and at various times, the facility was owned by individuals with close ties to the authorities. 

Following a series of legal proceedings, the Supreme Court of Ukraine, on April 15, 2025, issued a final ruling to return the property to state ownership and transfer it under the authority of the Ministry of Defence.

The establishment of this center marks a significant step in providing systematic support for thousands of service members returning from the frontlines with psychological trauma.