After the war, the number of veterans and their family members could reach 5–6 million, or, according to broader estimates, as many as 9 million — more than a quarter of Ukraine’s population. Their reintegration, employment, and ability to support themselves will therefore directly affect the pace of the country’s recovery.
In a column for RBC-Ukraine, Olena Bychkova, a veterans policy expert at CASE Ukraine, explains that the shortage of professional long-term care creates hidden economic losses. If an injured veteran is unable to work while a family member leaves their job or reduces their working hours to provide care, the household risks losing two incomes at once. Employers lose workers, the public budget loses tax revenue, and demand for social assistance increases.
‘For half a year, the hospital was our home. I became Ruslan’s eyes, hands and source of support. Together, we learnt to live in this new reality,’ says Natalia Kotsar, who had to resign from her job to care for her husband, Ruslan. Following his injury near Avdiivka, he completely lost his sight and part of his hearing.
Currently, around 65 per cent of the family’s care needs are met by themselves or remain unmet. The state is only able to cover 21 per cent of the actual demand. Relatives are responsible not only for day-to-day care, but also for organising rehabilitation, travel, sorting out paperwork and liaising with various institutions. On top of the loss of earnings come the costs of medical treatment, transport, accommodation and home adaptations.
There is as yet no representative data on the economic losses suffered by Ukrainian carers. At the same time, a RAND study in the US showed that they lose, on average, over $4,500 in potential income per year, whilst 27 per cent are forced to reduce their working hours, change jobs or face discrimination.
Support should be planned before the veteran is discharged from hospital, taking into account not only the veteran’s needs but also the family’s circumstances. An individualised plan may include professional home care, a personal assistant, day care services, a social taxi service, a temporary replacement carer and psychological support.
The system’s effectiveness should be assessed by whether veterans receive the assistance they need, whether their relatives can remain employed, and whether families are pushed into poverty by caregiving responsibilities. These services are not merely social expenditure but an investment in preserving employment, household incomes, and Ukraine’s human capital.
❗️The publication by the Center for Social and Economic Research (CASE Ukraine) was made with the support of the Civil Society Home of ISAR Ednannia as a part of the project «Strong Civil Society of Ukraine – a driver towards reforms and democracy,» funded by Norway and Sweden. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the Center for Social and Economic Research (CASE Ukraine) and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the Government of Norway, Government of Sweden and ISAR Ednannia.