What financial compensation do families of fallen Ukrainian defenders receive?

Ukraine provides a one-time payment of 15 million UAH (approximately €290,000 as of 2026). The amount is distributed among eligible family members and paid in stages.

Who is eligible to receive the compensation?

Compensation is paid to individuals named by the serviceman in a personal disposition. If none exists, it is divided among close relatives such as children, spouse, parents, dependents, and in some cases a cohabiting partner confirmed by court.

What documents are required to apply?

Applicants must provide identity documents, a Ukrainian tax ID, death certificate, proof of family relationship, bank details, and notarized translations of foreign documents.

Is there a deadline to apply for compensation?

Yes. Applications must be submitted within three years from the date of death registration or court decision declaring the person deceased.

Financial Support for Families of Fallen Ukrainian Defenders

Freedom has a high price, and Ukraine remains profoundly grateful to the Foreign Volunteers who have fought side-by-side with our soldiers. To the families of these volunteers: your loss is immeasurable. While no amount of support can fill the void left by a loved one, Ukraine is committed to ensuring that the families of its fallen defenders are cared for and respected.

What kind of monetary support is there for the families of the fallen soldiers?

Ukraine provides one-time monetary assistance of 15 million UAH to the families of servicemen who died while defending the country (or within one year after injury, trauma, or disability sustained in service). This compensation also applies to the Foreign Volunteers serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, National Guard, or other defense formations under contract. As of March 2026, 15 million UAH is approximately $345,000 USD or €290,000 EUR (depending on exchange rates).

Who can apply for monetary support?

The right to receive the compensation belongs to the persons designated by the deceased serviceman in his or her personal disposition (a written order specifying recipients and shares).

If no disposition exists, the compensation is divided equally among:

Children (including adopted children and those conceived during the serviceman’s lifetime but born after death)
Spouse
Parents (who have not been deprived of parental rights)
Grandchildren (if their parents have died)
Cohabiting partner (if confirmed by the decision of the Ukrainian court)
Dependents

A recipient may voluntarily renounce their share by a notarized document, after which it is redistributed equally among the others or allocated to a single recipient. This is especially helpful for foreigners, as only one family member needs to open a bank account in Ukraine, not everyone.

Application process and required documents

According to the official information from the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the application process is as follows:

Applications must be submitted to the Territorial Centers of Recruitment and Social Support within three years from the date the death certificate is entered into the registry (or from the court decision declaring the person deceased).

Required documents (originals + copies, certified by the Territorial Center of Recruitment and Social Support):

Application for payment
Passport or other identity document of the applicant
Certificate of name change (if applicable)
Ukrainian tax ID number
Death certificate of the serviceman
Documents confirming family relationships or dependency (marriage certificate, birth certificates, court decisions, etc.)
Family composition certificate
Bank statement or document confirming account details (Ukrainian bank)
Notarized power of attorney for transferring the full share to one family member (used when the family chooses to receive the payment through one person instead of dividing it equally).
For applicants over 16 years old: a certificate of no criminal record
Notarized consent for personal data processing
For foreign documents: apostille and notarized translation into Ukrainian

The Territorial Center of Recruitment and Social Support certifies the copies, prepares a conclusion on eligible recipients, and forwards the package to the regional level. The regional center verifies everything and sends it to the Ministry of Defense Commission, which makes the final decision. The payment is disbursed in two stages: one-fifth (3 million UAH) is issued within 5 working days after funds arrive at the Territorial Center of Recruitment and Social Support, and the remaining four-fifths are paid in equal monthly instalments over 40 months.

Navigating this process from abroad can be complex — especially when it involves Ukrainian bureaucracy, document legalization, obtaining a Ukrainian taxpayer identification number, and opening a Ukrainian bank account to receive the funds.

We provide legal aid and can assist you in collecting and obtaining all necessary documents to secure the monetary compensation for the service of your family member. With a properly issued power of attorney, we can further simplify the entire process for you by preparing and submitting required applications, applying for a tax ID, arranging notarized translations, and representing you before Ukrainian authorities and banks. You do not have to handle this alone during your time of grief. We will guide you through every step with care, professionalism, and respect for the sacrifice your loved one made for Ukraine.

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FAMILY MEMBER IS REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION IN UKRAINE: WHAT TO DO