15 million to the families of those killed in captivity: Zelensky signs law

29 July 07:31

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed Law No. 13168, which, among other things, provides for the payment of UAH 15 million to the families of soldiers killed in captivity, according to the document card on the Verkhovna Rada website, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports

“I also signed a law that we discussed with the relatives of Ukrainians in Russian captivity, with our soldiers who were released and returned home. The law restores justice, the law solves the financial issue – so that the soldiers who were captured receive the same financial guarantees as all defenders of Ukraine,” the head of state said in his evening address.

The adopted document amends the Law on Social and Legal Protection of Servicemen and Their Families.

uAH 15 million to families of those killed in captivity

Families of defenders will receive a one-time financial assistance of UAH 15 million in the event of the death of a serviceman while performing his duties, including during captivity.

This amount will not be paid if the serviceman voluntarily surrendered.

“Voluntary surrender due to cowardice or cowardice is punishable by imprisonment for a term of seven to ten years,” reads Article 430 of the Criminal Code.

More time to receive payments after injury

The period after dismissal from service in which defenders can receive a one-time financial assistance after being wounded (contusion, trauma or mutilation), or contracting an illness while performing their duties, which led to partial disability without establishing disability, has also been extended. This also applies to persons discharged from military service who have partially lost their ability to work due to the above reasons.

Now, they have a year to apply for such benefits after their discharge from service. Previously, only three months were allowed.

The Ministry of Defense noted that the military often could not obtain all the necessary documents in time to receive these payments due to the long period of treatment and rehabilitation, as well as the presence of their units in combat areas.

New principle for calculating payments in case of disability group change

In addition, financial assistance in case of a change in the disability group will now be calculated according to the subsistence minimum set as of January 1 of the calendar year when the change occurs.

Previously, it was calculated based on the date when the disability was first established.

When it comes into force:

The provision on UAH 15 million for families of those killed in captivity and the new calculation of benefits when changing the disability group will come into force one month and one day after the law is published and will apply to cases that occurred from February 24, 2022.
The provisions on the extension of the period for receiving assistance after injury will come into force one month after publication.