Social Guarantees for DFTG Volunteers: IFOR—Legislative Issues and Possible Solutions

Serhiy Lankin, a lawyer with the Barristers Law Firm, took part in a press conference dedicated to social guarantees for volunteers of the Territorial Community Volunteer Formations (TCVF) and their families.

In his presentation, Serhiy highlighted key problems in the legislative regulation of social protection for volunteers and veterans, emphasizing that the changes being made by the government are piecemeal, unsystematic, and often contradictory. According to Lankin, this approach significantly hinders volunteers and their families’ access to guaranteed social benefits and support.

Our representative also drew attention to the lack of a centralized unit within the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine that would systematically address issues related to support for volunteer units and their families. Serhiy Lankin emphasized the need to create such a structure to ensure greater efficiency and transparency in the social protection of volunteers.

At the same time, as part of the collaboration between the Barristers Law Firm and the families of fallen volunteers from the “Carpathian Sich” Volunteer Formation, a number of legislative amendments regarding the volunteer formations have been drafted and submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, specifically concerning pension benefits and one-time financial assistance for the families of fallen defenders who were members of the volunteer formations.

In the concluding part of the conference, participants noted that such approaches toward the families of volunteer movements in Ukraine create unjustified social tension, undermine the state’s defense capabilities, and require immediate attention from government agencies.

You can view the recording of the press conference at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l_0VuySJww...