How Families of Fallen Civilian Volunteers Can Receive 15 Million UAH: New Compensation Procedure in Ukraine
In July 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted Resolution No. 936, which approves a new Procedure for the Assignment and Payment of One-Time Financial Assistance (OFA) to the families of civilians who died while defending Ukraine in the early months of Russia’s full-scale invasion. This is a significant step toward recognizing and compensating the families of those who were not in the military but voluntarily joined the defense effort.
The resolution applies to civilian citizens who died as a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, without having official military status. This includes those who joined local territorial defense units or supported defense forces during the critical early weeks of the war, starting on February 24, 2022.
The right to compensation belongs to family members of the deceased, such as spouses, parents, underage children, or adult children with disabilities. The eligibility period is defined as follows:
- From February 24 to March 25, 2022 location of death is not specified.
- From March 26, 2022 compensation is granted only if the death occurred in an area of active hostilities, as defined in an official list issued by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
This distinction acknowledges the chaotic and spontaneous nature of resistance in March 2022, when many civilians took action without formal structures or recognition.
The Amount: Symbolic Gratitude or Real Support?
The one-time financial assistance is 15 million UAH per family. This is a significant amount intended not only to provide material support but also to affirm the state’s recognition of civilian contributions to national defense.
Payments are distributed in stages:
- 1/5 (3 million UAH) paid immediately;
- 4/5 (12 million UAH) paid in equal parts over 40 months.
If one family member refuses to receive their portion, their share is redistributed equally among the other eligible family members. This requires a written statement with a notarized signature, even if submitted by mail. Refusals cannot be submitted on behalf of underage or legally incapacitated individuals.
The structure ensures a fair and conflict-free distribution of the funds among eligible recipients.
How to Apply: Formal Process Without Barriers
Applications can be submitted through the following methods:
- In person: at the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, 34 Khreshchatyk St., Kyiv, 01001.
- By mail: to the same address.
- By email: to [email protected].
The application form is provided in Annex 1 of Resolution No. 936. Required documents (or scanned copies) include:
- A certificate proving family status of the deceased Defender of Ukraine;
- The death certificate;
- Power of attorney or proof of legal representation (if applicable);
- The applicant’s passport and taxpayer number (or passport note of refusal);
- A bank certificate with account details for the recipient.
Importantly, if some of the data is already in state registries, documents do not need to be duplicated interdepartmental digital exchange applies. In certain cases, only the application may be required.
Post List
What Happens Next?
After receiving the application, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs verifies the data, makes inquiries about previous compensations, and may invite the applicant for a hearing. A final decision is issued within one month. This timeframe is intended to minimize bureaucracy and ensure timely decisions in a context that is emotionally and socially sensitive.
Official Position
According to the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, the procedure aims to establish a “transparent, fair, and understandable mechanism” for supporting families of civilian defenders. Minister Yulia Laputina stated:
“This is recognition that in 2022, it wasn’t only soldiers who went out to defend the country. Thousands of ordinary people stepped up and couldn’t remain indifferent.”
This is a strong symbolic message: volunteers who took up responsibility without contracts or orders are no longer left out of official recognition. At the same time, veteran organizations point to potential difficulties in proving a person’s status as a fallen defender, especially during the chaotic early spring of 2022 when recordkeeping was inconsistent or nonexistent.
Why This Decision Matters
Civilian volunteers became an integral part of Ukraine’s national resistance during the first days of the full-scale invasion often unarmed, untrained, but driven by responsibility. They served in roles ranging from intelligence and logistics to evacuation and communications. They died defending the same values as formal soldiers the independence of Ukraine.
Now, their families receive not only financial assistance but also official acknowledgment that their loss was not forgotten that it was part of a collective national struggle.
This is not merely compensation. It is an act of remembrance, a step toward justice, and a sign that everyone who stood for Ukraine matters.
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