Cabinet simplifies procedure for granting combatant status to foreign fighters in Ukraine
Photo: Cabinet of Ministers to simplify granting combatant status to foreigners (Getty Images)
The Cabinet of Ministers has developed a new resolution that establishes a separate and simplified procedure for granting combatant status to foreigners and stateless persons who fought for Ukraine, according to the Telegram channel of the government’s representative in the Verkhovna Rada, Taras Melnychuk.
What the draft provides
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To designate the Ministry of Veterans Affairs as the sole authority authorized to grant combatant status and war-related disability status to foreigners;
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To approve the application form, as well as clear grounds for granting, denying, or revoking the status;
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To allow obtaining the status after discharge from service, taking into account the place of residence;
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To simplify the procedure for those who have already fought but do not have Ukrainian citizenship;
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To define the Ministry of Veterans Affairs’ right to issue combatant certificates and war veteran badges to such individuals.
Changes have also been made to the rules for granting or revoking the status of combatant and war-related disability. These rules now clearly state:
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The general procedures do not apply to foreigners and stateless persons;
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It has also been clarified in which cases the status may be denied or revoked.
In other words, the state has clearly defined who is entitled to the status, who is not, and under what circumstances the status can be canceled.
It should be noted that, in general, combatants are individuals who have participated in combat missions to defend Ukraine.
