Combatant Status for Foreigners – Who Has the Right and How to Obtain the Status in Ukraine
Foreigners and stateless persons who, together with Ukrainian military personnel, participated in the defense of the state have equal rights to recognition of their combat experience. The state guarantees them access to obtaining the status of a combatant regardless of citizenship. The procedure for obtaining the status was announced by the Ministry of Veterans Affairs.
Who can obtain the status
The right to obtain the status applies to foreigners or stateless persons who signed a contract and:
- participated in ensuring the conduct of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO);
- carried out tasks to repel the armed aggression of the Russian Federation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions;
- participated in the defense of Ukraine during the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation since February 24, 2022.
An exception is persons who served in the intelligence agencies of the Ministry of Defense.
How to obtain combatant status
The procedure for foreigners is the same as for Ukrainian citizens. The main condition is the availability of documents confirming participation in combat missions.
There are two options for obtaining the status:
Automatic procedure
An authorized person of the military unit where the foreigner is serving or has served enters data about the completion of combat missions into the Unified State Register of War Veterans (EDRVV) within 5 days. After that, the status is granted automatically, and the military unit issues the certificate.
Through the interdepartmental commission of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs
If automatic registration is not possible, the commander of the military unit or head of the institution submits documents to the interdepartmental commission at the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine. The commission reviews the materials and makes a decision, after which the certificate is issued by the Ministry of Veterans Affairs.
If the documents were not submitted by the command, the foreigner can collect them independently and send them by mail to the commission (Kyiv, Khreshchatyk St., 34, 01001) or submit them through the Administrative Service Center.
Required documents
To obtain the status, the following must be submitted:
- an application in the form defined by the Cabinet of Ministers resolution dated 18.06.2025 No. 719;
- a copy of the passport with a translation into Ukrainian;
- a copy of the registration document in the State Register of Individuals – Taxpayers;
- certificate form No. 6 (Procedure No. 413);
- a full extract from the information system regarding criminal liability and the presence of convictions, generated through the electronic services portal;
- two photographs sized 3×4 cm.
What happens after submitting the documents
The decision to grant or refuse is made by the interdepartmental commission at the Ministry of Veterans Affairs. Notification is sent to the address indicated in the application, as well as to the institution if the documents were submitted through the military unit or Administrative Service Center.
In case of a positive decision, a combatant certificate is issued. In case of refusal, the applicant may resubmit the documents after correcting deficiencies or appeal the decision in court.
The combatant status is granted, refused, or revoked exclusively by the decision of the interdepartmental commission based on grounds defined by law.
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