How to get combatant status (Combat Veteran Status) in AFU?
Status Combat Veteran Status: grounds, documents, status check. Updated: October 2026.
The Combat Veteran Status status is given to servicemen who directly performed combat tasks (reconstruction units, LBZ, combat duty, etc.). Issued by the decision of the commission on the basis of orders and information about participation in hostilities. Combat Veteran Status status gives benefits (liquidation, education, treatment) and an additional 14 days of vacation per year. Details below.
Who is entitled to the status of Combat Veteran Status
- Direct participation in hostilities — execution of combat tasks as part of AFU, NSU, DPSU, SBU, DSNS units.
- Combat duty, LBZ, combat departures — by orders with mandatory confirmations (excerpts from orders, information on participation).
- Persons who performed tasks under martial law — in the presence of supporting documents.
The order of registration of the status Combat Veteran Status
- Collection of documents: copies of enlistment orders, information on participation in hostilities, combat charter, extract from the appointment order.
- Application to the military unit — a report to the commander or a direct application to the Secretariat (Ukraine, preparatory commission of the region).
- Entry into the Unified Register Combat Veteran Status — the commission considers the grounds and makes a decision on granting the status.
What gives status Combat Veteran Status
- Additional 14 days of vacation every year (Law No. 3551-XII, Article 12).
- Benefits: liquidation, education, treatment, quasi-release, special conditions for liquidation.
- Additional social rights for family members.
- Benefits upon discharge from military service.
List of combat actions for status Combat Veteran Status
The list is determined by the Order of the Ministry of Defense "On recognition as participants in hostilities" (Order of the Ministry of Defense No. 402 or current orders on the standard list). Periods of hostilities, special operations on the territory of Ukraine and abroad are taken into account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Combat Veteran Status status be denied if it has been a long time since combat?
No. There is no statute of limitations for Combat Veteran Status status. Documents can be submitted at any time, the main thing is that there are grounds.
If orders are lost, can participation be confirmed?
Yes. Through a request to a military unit, the Central Archive of the Ministry of Defense or participants in hostilities (slope of the oath).
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