The Government has approved two draft laws aimed at supporting veterans and honouring the feat of defenders of Ukraine. This was announced by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

“The first one concerns a fair approach to determining payments to the families of fallen defenders. At the beginning of the full-scale war, many Ukrainians took up arms and defended the state as civilians. The families of such fallen civilians are entitled to a payment of UAH 1.9 million. We propose to increase it to UAH 15 million, and we believe that this is right and fair,” the Head of Government said, adding that this would help support the families of those who died defending Ukraine and its future.

The second draft law, according to him, concerns veterans sports, which the Government sees as one of the key elements for rehabilitation and adaptation.

“We are increasing the capacity of the Ministry for Veterans Affairs in this area and the use of the existing network of sports facilities for veterans,” the Prime Minister said.

According to Denys Shmyhal, the “Heroes Policy” is one of the points of Ukraine’s Internal Resilience Plan presented by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. And the Government, together with other responsible state authorities, is working on annexes to this plan.

“It is our common duty to create a wide range of opportunities for veterans and to honour their heroism and bravery with dignity. The new veterans policy means attention and respect for every defender,” the Head of Government stressed.

According to the Prime Minister, the Government is actively developing existing veterans programmes and constantly introducing new ones. Next year, the state budget allocates UAH 10.5 billion to support veterans.

“This year, thanks to record funding, we will provide housing for almost 4,500 veterans and their families. And this is just one programme. Veterans also receive preferential mortgages under the Government’s eOselia programme.

Under the eRobota grant programme alone, the Government has already provided funds that have helped to create more than 1,100 new veteran businesses,” the Head of Government stressed.

The Prime Minister also said that 7,000 veterans and service members had already benefited from the new programme of dental prosthetics and dental treatment. Next year, it is planned to expand the package of medical services for veterans.

Also next year, according to the Head of Government, the Veteran’s Assistant service, which helps veterans adapt to civilian life, will become fully operational. Almost UAH 3 billion has been allocated in the budget for this purpose.