Today, there are already around 1.3–1.5 million people in Ukraine with the status of combatant or veteran. After the war, veterans and their family members could number 5–6 million people, or up to 9 million according to a broader estimate. Social stability, the labour market, public finances and economic recovery will depend on the quality of their reintegration.
Post-war rehabilitation for veterans cannot end with the treatment of injuries. It must result in restored independence, decent work, a stable income and a return to a full civilian life.
Ukraine has strategies, benefits and individual programmes, but has not yet established a comprehensive system for the transition from military service to civilian life. Medical and psychological care, social services, education, housing and employment are scattered across various institutions. No single body is accountable for the individual’s final outcome, so it is often up to the veteran or their family to coordinate the support themselves.
Families require particular attention. Around 65 per cent of care needs are met by relatives themselves or remain unmet, whilst the state covers only 21 per cent of demand. The consequences include loss of income, exhaustion and the risk of poverty. Psychological support also falls short of the planned scale: in 2025, 9,595 people received it — around 27 per cent of the target.
Employment does not guarantee successful reintegration either. Over 38 per cent of veterans surveyed left their first job after leaving the service within less than three months. Reasons for this include a lack of preparation on the part of work teams, a mismatch between the job and the veteran’s skills and health, difficulties in explaining their military experience, and a lack of awareness of support programmes.
It is essential to move away from a set of benefits and services towards a single, personalised pathway that begins even before discharge from service. Any enquiry from a veteran should trigger a needs assessment and coordinated support based on the ‘no wrong door’ principle. Everyone needs a guaranteed basic package, whilst those with complex needs require long-term, intensive support.
The success of veterans’ policy should be measured not by the number of requests or funds spent, but by preserved health, the greatest possible independence, sustainable employment and family well-being. Then support for veterans will become an investment in human capital and the future of Ukraine.
This analytical report was prepared by the Center for Social and Economic Research (CASE Ukraine) with support from the Askold and Dir Foundation, administered by ISAR Ednannia, as part of the project “A Strong Civil Society in Ukraine: A Driver of Reform and Democracy,” funded by Norway and Sweden. The content of the report is the sole responsibility of CASE Ukraine and does not reflect the views of the governments of Norway, Sweden, or ISAR Ednannia.