Obtaining the status of PSO for TRO fighters

Obtain UBD status for TRO fighters

Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, many territorial defence fighters have been directly involved in hostilities, performing important tasks to protect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Therefore, the issue of obtaining UBD for TRO fighters has become very relevant. Following the amendments to the legislation in Ukraine, TRO fighters who took part in hostilities can obtain this status, which opens up access to a wide range of benefits and rights.

What is combatant status and who can get UBD status ?

The combatant status is granted to persons who took direct part in hostilities or performed combat missions in an armed conflict, war or other emergency situations where the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine was threatened. This status entitles them to benefits, social payments, free medical care and other social guarantees.

All soldiers who served as part of the Territorial Defence of Ukraine (TDF) and took part in hostilities after 24 February 2022 can apply for the TDF combatant status. This includes both active servicemen and those who have already retired from the ranks of the TRO, as well as relatives of those killed in action.

Legislative grounds for granting combatant status to members of the TRO

The granting of combatant status to members of the TROs is regulated by a number of legal acts, the main one being the Law of Ukraine ‘On the Status of War Veterans and Guarantees of Their Social Protection’. According to this law, the following persons are eligible for combat participant status:

• Persons who served in the TRO and took part in hostilities.
• Persons who performed combat missions in combat areas as part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine or other law enforcement agencies.
• Relatives of the deceased TRO soldiers who confirm their deaths while performing combat missions.

Changes to the legislation in 2024 introduced clarifications that allow TRO fighters who performed combat missions to apply for combatant status without any problems, even if they were not career military personnel.

Key steps in the procedure for obtaining combatant status for TRO fighters

The procedure for obtaining combatant status for TRO fighters consists of several stages, each of which has its own specific requirements. This is an important process that requires attention and careful collection of documents. Here are the main stages:

1. Collection of supporting documents. To obtain combatant status, you need to collect a package of documents confirming participation in hostilities or combat missions. These may include: extracts from combat logs; orders and reports on engagement in combat missions; medical certificates on injuries or traumas sustained during service; testimonies of commanders and other persons who can confirm participation in combat operations.
2. Submission of a package of documents. After collecting all the necessary documents, the next step is to submit the application package to the relevant commission. The application can be submitted through the command of the military unit or directly to the interdepartmental commission under the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.
3. Consideration of the application by the commission. The commission at the Ministry of Defence analyses the submitted documents, verifies their authenticity and, if necessary, requests additional materials. In case of positive consideration of the application, the commission makes a decision on granting the status of a combatant.
4. Inclusion in the Unified State Register of persons with the status of combatant. After the decision is made, the commission enters the fighter's data into the register, which entitles him or her to receive a combatant certificate and enjoy the relevant benefits.
5. Obtaining a certificate and exercising benefits. After being entered into the register, a person receives a combatant's certificate and can enjoy benefits.

Benefits for TRO fighters after receiving combatant status

Combatants with the status of combatants are entitled to a number of benefits that make their life after service much easier. 

Financial benefits: A 75% discount on housing and utility bills, priority in housing provision and benefits when buying housing.

Medical care: free treatment in state medical institutions; specialised treatment for injuries and wounds sustained during hostilities.

Employment and educational benefits: preference for employment in government positions; free education or training at universities.

Other social guarantees: free public transport; tax privileges and exemptions from certain state fees.

Common problems in obtaining combatant status for members of the TRO

Although the procedure for obtaining combatant status for TRO fighters has been greatly simplified following changes in legislation, certain difficulties may arise in practice. The most common problems include:

1. Lack of properly executed documents. In some cases, the documents may be incomplete or incorrectly executed, which delays the process.
2. Request for additional evidence. If the commission cannot confirm the fact of participation in hostilities due to inaccurate or missing documents, this may lead to a refusal.
3. Delays in processing the application. Long periods of time for consideration of an application may be caused by a heavy workload on the commission or an incomplete set of documents.
4. Uncertainty about posthumous status. Relatives of deceased TRO soldiers may face difficulties in obtaining status due to uncertainty of procedures or lack of proper confirmation.

How a lawyer can help with obtaining combatant status

Legal assistance can be extremely helpful in obtaining combatant status for TRO fighters. Lawyers can:

• Help you collect all the necessary documents.
• Represent interests before the commission, if necessary.
• Fill out the application correctly to avoid mistakes.
• Speed up the application process and solve problems that may arise at the review stage.
• Help in case of refusal - file an appeal or challenge the decision.

Contacting a lawyer will help you avoid mistakes that conscripts often make when applying for TRS on their own.

Frequently asked questions about the status of combat service for TRO soldiers: