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This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms 
of the Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 4.0

1 Kyiv National Economic University named after Vadym Hetman, Ukraine (corresponding author)
E-mail: Lm87@ukr.net
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-4753-7074 
2 Scientific and Methodological Center for Personnel Policy, 
Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, Ukraine 
E-mail: sivkov.sergey.v@gmail.com 
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6348-7550
3 Kyiv National Economic University named after Vadym Hetman, Ukraine
E-mail: S972708a@protonmail.com
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6296-8488

DOI: https://doi.org/10.30525/2256-0742/2025-11-2-293-301

HONORING WAR VETERANS  
AS A COMPONENT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION  

OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC FUNCTION OF THE STATE: 
ADMINISTRATIVE-LEGAL ASPECT

Liudmyla Sylenko1, Serhii Sivkov2, Denys Komarnytskyi3

Abstract. The article examines the issue of honoring war veterans as an important element of the implementation of 
the socio-economic function of the state in the conditions of a special period. The authors analyse the administrative-
legal mechanisms that ensure the preservation of historical memory, the dignified treatment of the defenders of the 
state, and the guarantees of their social protection. The emphasis is on the institutional support of the state policy 
of honoring veterans through the activities of central and local executive bodies, local self-government bodies, 
as well as interaction with public associations. The functions of the state in the organisation of commemorative 
events, the provision of ritual services, the support of the families of fallen soldiers, the creation of memorial  
objects and the establishment of symbolic spaces are revealed. The challenges of implementing effective 
administrative procedures in this area are outlined, including fragmentation of the regulatory field, limited funding 
and a lack of systematicity. Proposed ways of improving administrative and legal regulation aim to strengthen 
state support for veterans and their social integration, as well as strengthening national identity in conditions of 
martial law and post-war reconstruction. The subject of the article is the administrative and legal mechanisms for 
implementing the socio-economic functions of the state in conditions of a special period. Research methodology. 
Various methods are used when studying the honouring of war veterans as an important element of the state's 
socio-economic function in special circumstances. These methods allow for a comprehensive consideration of the 
legal, social, economic and managerial aspects of this area, and include: the method of dialectical materialism; 
the method of abstraction; the methods of analysis and synthesis; the functional method; the method of system 
analysis; the synergistic method; the comparative law method; the method of interpretation and hermeneutics; 
the dogmatic method; and the statistical method. The purpose of the article is to reveal the principles of honoring 
war veterans as an important element of the implementation of the socio-economic function of the state in the 
conditions of a special period. Conclusions. The act of honouring war veterans within the context of a designated 
period represents a pivotal facet in the execution of the socio-economic function of the state. This phenomenon 
possesses a multifaceted significance, encompassing moral, legal and social dimensions. Firstly, it is an expression 
of profound respect for the military duty, sacrifice and courage demonstrated by those who defended the state. 
Secondly, commemoration possesses a practical dimension, as it is closely related to the system of social protection 
of war veterans.  The present study sets out to explore the shortcomings of honouring war veterans as a means 
of implementing the socio-economic function of the state during a special period. The study identifies five key 
shortcomings: first, the formality of approaches; second, the fragmentation of legal regulation; third, insufficient 
funding; fourth, uneven regional provision; and fifth, weak integration into modern social processes. In order to 
solve these problems, the authors propose the following: 1) to regulate commemoration as an element of social 
policy at the legislative level. Including a separate article or even a section in the Law of Ukraine "On Status of 
War Veterans and Guarantees of Their Social Protection" on the commemoration policy, with clear indicators 



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of its implementation; 2) to introduce targeted funding programmes for commemorative events, including 
commemoration, support for the families of the victims, and memorial initiatives, at the level of the state and local 
budgets; 3) to integrate the commemoration with other events; 4) to develop partnerships with the public sector;  
5) c to create a unified national Register of Heroes, interactive maps and applications that would promote the 
stories of veterans and strengthen the nation's identity.

Keywords: state, state functions, administrative and legal regulation, economic aspects of state regulation of  
funeral services, social standards of state regulation, funeral business, commemoration, reintegration of war 
veterans, state veteran policy, social protection of veterans.

JEL Classification: H11, H30, H61, I38, R50, D72

Introduction
The importance of scientific research in honouring 

war veterans as a crucial component of the state's 
socio-economic function during a period of significant 
transformation in Ukraine is twofold. Firstly, it is 
imperative to understand the profound societal 
shifts occurring in the context of ongoing armed 
aggression. Secondly, it is essential to formulate an 
effective response to the social challenges posed by the  
processes of demobilisation, reintegration, and the 
provision of support to war veterans. In the context 
of a special period, the state is obligated not only to  
ensure defence capability, but also to guarantee the 
dignified treatment of persons who, at the cost of their 
own health and lives, defended the independence  
and sovereignty of Ukraine. The act of honouring 
veterans must not be regarded as a purely symbolic 
gesture; rather, it is a multifaceted phenomenon that 
encompasses significant social, legal and economic 
dimensions. This complex of actions is collectively 
implemented as an integral component of state social 
policy.

The scientific relevance of this research stems from 
the need to improve legal regulation in this area, to 
eliminate fragmentation between different forms of 
commemoration (memorial, cultural, material), to 
ensure sustainable financing of measures to support 
veterans and their families, and to integrate Ukrainian 
approaches to commemoration with international 
practices. In light of the escalating veteran population 
and the mounting public clamour for social justice, the 
establishment of historical memory and the glorification 
of heroism, scientific research in this domain is 
imperative for the formulation of efficacious state  
policy that can effectively address contemporary 
challenges and foster national cohesion and stability.

1. Research Methodology

1.1. Scientific Analysis of Works  
on the Research Topic

The issue of implementing the socio-economic 
functions of the state in a special period, particularly 
in terms of administrative and legal regulation of 

honouring war veterans as an important element 
of implementing the socio-economic function of  
the state in a special period, is the subject of active 
scientific discussion, especially in view of the challenges 
associated with the war in Ukraine. In the context 
of domestic jurisprudence, there has been a notable 
advancement in the direction of research into the 
transformation of state functions in circumstances  
such as states of emergency, military operations, or 
large-scale social crises.

N. Azmuk (2023) investigated the issues of socio-
economic and educational reintegration of veterans  
into the labour market. In contrast, Kresina (2016) 
studied the relevance of research and implementation  
of the reintegration process as a component of state 
ethno-national policy.

K. A. Nizheiko and K. V. Kovalivska (2024) conducted 
a study of the international experience and features  
of the reintegration of veterans into civilian life in 
Ukraine.

A. Basmanova and I. Hryshchenko (2023) conducted 
a study on the reintegration of veterans, participants  
in hostilities, and their family members into civilian  
life at the level of hromadas.

S. Kleimenova's research focused on the legal nature 
of ritual services. It has been established that ritual 
services have their own history of development, which 
is associated with a change in people's perception 
of death and their attitude towards it. Firstly, it is  
important to note that ritual services are based on 
specific rituals from various cultures. Concurrently, 
there exist alternative burial methods, including burial 
and cremation. Consequently, the selection of a set of 
ritual services is contingent upon the chosen burial 
method. Ritual services are to be found within the 
system of types of services. In Ukraine, the regulatory 
framework governing the provision of funeral services 
is enshrined in the Law of Ukraine "On Burial and 
Funeral Affairs", in addition to by-laws that delineate 
the operational procedures for funeral services and  
the associated tariffs (Kleimenova, 2019).

O. V. Nedaikhlib (2017) emphasised in his works 
that enhancing the material base, state regulation 
and support in such an area of human activity as the 



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ritual business are of paramount importance not only  
from an economic point of view, but also for the 
development of the socio-psychological, spiritual and 
moral foundations of society.

M. A. Mykhailichenko, in the course of his research 
into military burials, has drawn attention to the  
fact that the regulatory legal acts which determine  
the activities of the burial of the dead and regulate 
military memorial work in Ukraine leave a number 
of unresolved issues regarding the identification, 
restoration, preservation and maintenance of military 
burials in proper condition. The author posited  
that these issues can be resolved through the 
implementation of a distinct legal framework pertaining 
to military burials. It should clearly define the 
following: 1) the concepts of "military burials", "military 
cemeteries", "military plots in civilian cemeteries";  
2) the range of persons whose burials are considered 
military; 3) the procedure for burial (reburial) of 
these persons; 4) the procedure for identifying and 
restoring lost military graves; 5) requirements for the 
improvement of military cemeteries; 6) the powers 
of state bodies and local governments to identify, 
restore, preserve, maintain and protect military  
graves; 7) responsibility for violating this law. 
Simultaneously, it is recommended to draw upon 
the experience of countries in which such legislation 
is currently in effect, notably the Federal Republic 
of Germany, the Republic of Poland, the Republic 
of Estonia, the Republic of Tajikistan, and Georgia 
(Mykhailichenko, 2021).

Johnson M. and Lee K. (2020) investigated the 
economic aspects of the ritual industry: market  
analysis and trends.

Dison Sp Franco, Jordana Georgin, Luis Angel 
Villarreal Campo, Maria Arango Mayoral, Jose Orozco 
Goenaga, Carolina Moreno Fruto, Alcindo Neckel, 
Marcos Leandro Oliveira, Claudette Gindry Ramos 
have paid attention in their works to the issue of 
environmental pollution caused by cemeteries and 
cremations (Dison Sp Franco, Georgin, Villarreal 
Campo, Arango Mayoral, Orozco Goenaga, Moreno 
Fruto, Neckel, Oliveira, Ramos, 2022).

In their works, D. S. Komarnytskyi, R. S. Tutykalo and 
L. M. Sylenko (2025) revealed the role and content of 
the socio-economic functions of the state in the field  
of funeral affairs.

However, the field of domestic legal science has yet 
to undertake a systematic examination of the nexus 
between the reintegration of veterans, ritual services 
and public administration within the overarching 
framework of a unified concept of the implementation  
of the socio-economic function of the state.  
The question of constructing an effective model of 
administrative and legal regulation that would take 
into account the peculiarities of a particular period,  
modern managerial challenges and the need for 

a comprehensive approach to social policy remains 
unresolved.

Consequently, the subject under investigation 
necessitates additional scientific advancement, 
comprehensive examination of prevailing legislation, 
institutional practice, and the analysis of international 
experience in pertinent domains.

1.2. Methodological Features of the Research
In the context of examining the administrative 

and legal mechanisms for implementing the socio- 
economic functions of the state during a period of 
crisis, particular attention is given to the reintegration 
of war veterans and the provision of ritual services.  
To this end, a range of methods are employed to 
ensure a comprehensive consideration of the legal, 
social, economic and managerial aspects of this area.
– The dialectical materialism method facilitates the 
analysis of the administrative and legal mechanisms 
that facilitate the implementation of the socio-
economic functions of the state in periods of crisis.  
This is achieved by identifying and analysing 
the contradictions between the needs of society 
(particularly those of war veterans and the families 
of the deceased) and the capabilities of the state  
apparatus. Additionally, it enables the assessment of 
the dynamics of the development of legal regulation in 
the context of a changing socio-economic reality. This 
approach facilitates the documentation of prevailing 
challenges in the domain of veteran reintegration 
and the provision of ritual services. Moreover, it 
underscores the imperative for substantial reforms 
within the legal system, drawing upon the principles of 
social development, the interconnection between the 
fundamental structure (economy) and the overarching 
framework (law), and the perpetual evolution and 
transformation of public administration in alignment 
with societal expectations.
– In the study of administrative and legal 
mechanisms for the implementation of the state's 
socio-economic functions in special circumstances, 
the method of abstraction allows to move away from 
the secondary features of specific legal situations and 
focus on identifying the general, stable patterns of  
public administration mechanisms in the areas 
of reintegrating war veterans and providing ritual  
services. This method facilitates the conceptualisation 
of the legal nature of such mechanisms, the formulation 
of universal approaches to their construction, the 
identification of typical problems (e.g., fragmentation of 
the regulatory framework or lack of interdepartmental 
coordination), and the outline of the prospects for 
optimising administrative and legal regulation, taking 
into account the peculiarities of wartime.
– The analysis and synthesis employed in the 
study of administrative and legal mechanisms for 



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the implementation of socio-economic functions of 
the state in conditions of a special period facilitate, 
firstly, the decomposition of a complex legal system 
into discrete elements, including regulatory and legal 
acts, organisational and managerial structures, and 
procedures for the implementation of public services in 
the domain of reintegration of veterans and provision  
of ritual services. Secondly, the synthesis stage 
enables the integration of knowledge to formulate 
a comprehensive perspective on the effectiveness, 
coherence, and efficiency of existing mechanisms. 
The implementation of this approach facilitates the 
identification of structural issues and lacunae in  
the regulatory framework, thereby enabling the 
formulation of comprehensive proposals for enhancing 
state policy within the designated domains.
– The functional method is utilised in the study 
of administrative and legal mechanisms for the 
implementation of socio-economic functions of 
the state in a particular period, thereby enabling an  
analysis of the practical purpose and effectiveness  
of the activities of public authorities in the field 
of reintegration of war veterans and the provision 
of ritual services. The application of this method 
facilitates the determination of the extent to which 
specific administrative and legal instruments  
(norms, procedures, institutions) correspond to 
their designated functions. These instruments are 
intended to ensure social protection, dignity, access to  
services and the restoration of the rights of citizens 
affected by the war. This approach contributes  
to the identification of dysfunctions in public 
administration, as well as the development of 
substantiated recommendations for improving legal 
regulation in the specified areas.
– The methodology of system analysis employed 
in the study of administrative and legal mechanisms 
for the implementation of socio-economic functions 
of the state in conditions of a special period enables 
the consideration of the spheres of reintegration of 
war veterans and the provision of ritual services as 
interconnected subsystems of a single state system 
of public administration. Thanks to this method, all 
structural elements of the mechanisms can be covered 
(the regulatory framework, subject composition, 
procedural aspects and resources), and their interaction 
and impact on achieving the general goal of ensuring 
social stability, dignity and justice in society can be 
analysed. The system approach also enables to evaluate 
the effect of external factors, such as war, economic 
crises and international aid, on the operation of  
these mechanisms, and to develop comprehensive 
strategies for their improvement in the context of 
contemporary challenges.
– In the study of administrative and legal mechanisms 
for the implementation of the state's socio-economic 
functions during a special period, the synergistic method 

allows for the consideration of the interaction between 
various elements of public administration – authorities, 
regulatory legal acts, civil society institutions and 
international partners – as an open, dynamic system  
that self-organises under the influence of internal and 
external factors. In the context of reintegrating war 
veterans and providing ritual services, this approach 
enables to trace how effective interaction between 
these elements can generate new-quality management 
decisions and form sustainable state support 
mechanisms. The method has been demonstrated to 
facilitate the identification of growth points and crisis 
zones, where the joint action of subjects (synergy) 
has been shown to yield a greater effect than isolated  
efforts. This is especially pertinent in conditions of  
war or the post-war period.
– The comparative legal method, as employed in the 
present study, facilitates the analysis of administrative 
and legal mechanisms for the implementation of socio-
economic functions of the state during a designated 
period. This methodological approach enables a 
comparative analysis of Ukrainian legal practice in the 
field of reintegration of war veterans and provision of 
ritual services with the experience of other states that 
have undergone armed conflicts or large-scale social 
upheavals. This approach enables effective models 
of legal regulation, institutional approaches, and 
management solutions that are working successfully 
in EU countries, Israel, the USA and Croatia to be 
identified, and the possibility of their implementation 
in Ukrainian contexts to be assessed. Analysing the 
legal systems of other countries helps to identify 
shortcomings in domestic legislation, adopt progressive 
legal instruments, and direct administrative reform 
towards ensuring more effective, people-centred social 
policy.
– The method of interpretation and hermeneutics 
in the study of administrative and legal mechanisms 
for the implementation of socio-economic functions  
of the state in the conditions of a special period  
allows for a deeper understanding of the content 
of regulatory and legal acts regulating the sphere 
of reintegration of war veterans and the provision  
of ritual services, taking into account the historical, 
social, cultural and political context of their emergence 
and application. The hermeneutic approach facilitates 
the discernment of the profound implications inherent 
within legal norms, thereby establishing a nexus 
between legal texts and the tangible requirements of 
society, particularly in contexts such as war or post-
war reconstruction. This approach has also been 
demonstrated to be beneficial in the analysis of law 
enforcement practice, particularly in the interpretation 
of ambiguous or contradictory provisions that are 
of critical importance for the social protection of 
veterans and the implementation of the right to a 
decent burial. Consequently, this approach contributes  



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to the establishment of coherent and meaningful  
legal policy in the relevant areas.

The amalgamation of these methodologies facilitates 
a comprehensive examination of the protocol for 
honouring war veterans as a pivotal component of 
implementing the socio-economic function of the state 
during a designated period, thereby providing a scientific 
foundation for the formulation and enhancement of 
policy in this domain.

2. Theoretical and Legal Principles  
of Honoring War Veterans  
as an Important Element  
of the Implementation  
of the Socio-Economic Function of the State  
in the Conditions of a Special Period

2.1. The Concept of Honoring War Veterans  
as an Important Element  
of the Implementation  
of the Socio-Economic Function of the State

The social function of the state is one of the  
fundamental categories of public administration, 
determining its activities aimed at ensuring basic  
social rights, the well-being of the population and 
maintaining social justice (Nalyvaiko, 2023). This 
function reflects the connection between the state 
and society, consolidating its duty to create conditions  
for the realization of the rights and freedoms of 
every person. The theoretical foundations of the 
social function lie at the intersection of legal, 
sociological and economic concepts. These concepts 
consider the social function to be a mechanism for 
achieving social harmony, overcoming inequality and 
ensuring stability. The social function of the state is  
based on the principle of the rule of law, which 
establishes the primary objective of state authority: to 
protect and provide for human rights. In a democratic 
society, this principle ensures equal opportunities  
for all citizens, regardless of their social status, 
nationality or place of residence. This applies to 
the provision of both material needs, such as social  
security, healthcare and education, and non-material 
needs, such as the protection of rights and access 
to justice. In the modern world, the social function  
of the state is seen as a way of overcoming social 
challenges, such as economic inequality, unemployment, 
demographic issues and migration. In the context of 
Ukraine, the Constitution of Ukraine (Article 46) 
stipulates that the state is responsible for the social 
protection of its citizens and the creation of conditions 
for a decent life. This social function is of particular 
importance in Ukraine. This provision establishes 
the basis for the formulation of a policy aimed at 
safeguarding social rights, which are a component of 
human rights (Madalyts, 2025).

In periods of war or armed conflict, the primary 
social function of the state is to protect the most 
vulnerable segments of the population, including 
internally displaced persons, war veterans, the families 
of fallen servicemen, children, and the elderly. The 
state is under an obligation to provide social benefits, 
as well as to establish programmes that facilitate 
integration and reintegration for those who have been 
adversely affected by war. In this context, the role of 
civil society organisations and international partners 
is important, inasmuch as they are able to provide  
support in the implementation of the social function. 
The implementation of the social function of the state 
and the protection of human rights in conditions 
of martial law is an extremely complex task that 
requires the adaptation of traditional management 
mechanisms to the crisis circumstances caused by 
armed conflict. The phenomenon of war engenders 
a plethora of challenges, which may be categorised 
into multiple levels. These include, but are not limited 
to, the destruction of infrastructure, mass population 
displacement, economic constraints and an escalation 
in social risks. However, despite the challenges 
posed by these circumstances, it is incumbent upon  
the state to ensure the fulfilment of its social  
obligations, namely the protection of the most vulnerable 
echelons of the population and the maintenance of 
social stability. A salient feature of the social function 
of the state during war is the provision of fundamental 
social services, even in regions where state bodies 
operate with significant limitations due to hostilities or 
occupation (Mykoliuk, 2006). This includes medical 
care, education, social benefits, and housing for 
affected citizens. Mechanisms of targeted support play 
an important role in enabling a rapid response to the  
needs of displaced persons, veterans, persons with 
disabilities, and other categories of the population.

The concept of the economic function of the state 
encompasses a system of measures by which the state 
regulates economic processes, provides conditions for 
stable economic development, forms macroeconomic 
policy, influences the redistribution of resources, 
provides a competitive environment and supports the 
national producer. The economic function of the state 
is realised through a variety of instruments, including 
fiscal policy, monetary policy, investment policy,  
state regulation of the market, support for 
entrepreneurship, antitrust control and management of 
state property. The state performs this function in both 
peacetime and emergency situations, in particular war 
or economic crisis, when ensuring economic security, 
restoring production potential, controlling strategic 
sectors of the economy and supporting employment 
of the population becomes especially relevant.  
The economic function is closely related to the 
social one, since a stable economy is the basis for 
the realisation of citizens' rights to social protection, 



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medicine, education, and so forth (Averianov, 2006; 
Bytiak, Harashchuk, Diachenko, 2020).

The concept of the socio-economic function  
of the state is therefore implemented through 
comprehensive measures aimed at ensuring a decent 
standard of living for the population, social justice, 
economic growth, redistribution of national income 
and market regulation in accordance with public 
interests. This function encompasses the activities of 
the state in providing support to socio-economically 
disadvantaged categories of the population, ensuring 
employment, healthcare, education, wage regulation, tax 
policy, public investments, as well as the management 
of the economy during periods of crisis or special 
circumstances (e.g., martial law).

In the contemporary era, the socio-economic 
function is regarded by scientists as being amongst 
the most significant of the modern functions of the 
state. According to V.B. Averianov, this function is 
implemented primarily through public administration 
and administrative and legal mechanisms within 
the executive branch (Averianov, 2006). In turn,  
Yu.P. Bytiak emphasises the importance of 
administrative and legal regulation in the field of 
social security, considering it as a component of the  
social function of the state (Bytiak, Harashchuk, 
Diachenko, 2020).

The normative basis for the implementation of 
this function is constituted by the Constitution of 
Ukraine (Art. 1, 3, 46), the Law of Ukraine "On State 
Social Standards and State Social Guarantees", the 
Budget Code of Ukraine, as well as international  
acts, in particular the International Covenant on 
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966).

It is therefore vital to honour war veterans as a key 
component in the execution of the socio-economic 
function of the state. This is necessary to guarantee 
a dignified approach towards individuals who 
participated in the protection of the independence 
and territorial integrity of the state. This is achieved 
by acknowledging their contribution not only at 
the symbolic level, but also through tangible socio-
economic measures. In fulfilling its social function, the 
state must provide veterans with a range of benefits 
and guarantees, particularly with regard to pensions, 
healthcare, sanatorium and resort treatment, housing 
programmes, employment and psychological support. 
The economic aspect of this process involves state 
financing of social support programmes, investment 
in infrastructure for remembrance, such as the 
creation of memorials and museums, and the holding  
of state ceremonies. It also involves supporting the 
families of fallen defenders.

The state plays a strategic role in the formation 
of historical memory, patriotism and national 
unity through its honoring of veterans, a fact that 
is especially important in times of war or post-war 

reconstruction. Consequently, the administrative and 
legal mechanisms that regulate this process become 
of particular significance. These mechanisms facilitate 
coordination between authorities, ensure equal access 
to social benefits, and establish a clear procedure for 
the implementation of relevant measures. The act 
of honouring veterans constitutes not only a moral 
obligation of the state, but also an integral component 
of the social contract between the state and its  
citizens. This social contract serves to strengthen 
the trust citizens have in public authorities, thereby 
contributing to the stability of society as a whole.

2.2. Types of Socio-Economic Measures  
that the State Applies to Honor War Veterans  
as an Important Element  
of the Implementation  
of the Socio-Economic Function of the State

The state has a range of socio-economic measures 
in place to honour war veterans. These include the 
provision of material support and the organisation 
of symbolic events that are recognised within society 
as a recognition of their contribution to the state's  
defence. The primary measures encompass the 
following.

The Laws of Ukraine "On Status of War Veterans 
and Guarantees of Their Social Protection",  
"On Fundamentals of Social Protection of Persons  
with Disabilities in Ukraine", the Budget Code 
of Ukraine and subordinate regulatory legal acts: 
Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine 
dated March 31, 2015 No. 200 "On Approval of 
the Procedure for the Use of Funds Provided in the  
State Budget to Provide Certain Categories of the 
Population with Sanatorium and Resort Treatment"; 
Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine 
dated June 17, 2004 No. 785 "On Approval of the 
Procedure for the Provision of Free Transportation 
Services for Certain Categories of Citizens"; Resolution 
of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated February 
22, 2006 No. 187 "On Approval of the Procedure 
for Providing Disabled Persons and Other Certain 
Categories of the Population with Technical and Other 
Means of Rehabilitation" enshrines the state’s socio-
economic measures aimed at honoring war veterans,  
in particular through the provision of benefits,  
provision of medical care, rehabilitation, transport 
privileges and other forms of state support.  
The Law of Ukraine "On Status of War Veterans and 
Guarantees of Their Social Protection" stipulates that 
socio-economic measures include the following: free  
medical care in state and municipal healthcare 
institutions; priority sanatorium and resort treatment; 
50%–100% discounts on housing and communal 
services; free travel on all types of urban passenger 
transport; tax benefits; provision of medicines  



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according to doctors' prescriptions; priority service 
in social institutions. These measures are intended  
to provide both material support and symbolic 
recognition of the contribution of veterans to the 
defence of the state (The Law of Ukraine "On Status 
of War Veterans and Guarantees of Their Social 
Protection").

The Law of Ukraine "On Fundamentals of Social 
Protection of Persons with Disabilities in Ukraine" 
applies to veterans with disabilities, including 
persons with disabilities as a result of the war. It 
provides for: ensuring the accessibility of services and 
social infrastructure facilities; providing technical 
and rehabilitation aids; social support and care;  
creating conditions for employment, professional 
rehabilitation and participation in public life (The Law 
of Ukraine "On Fundamentals of Social Protection  
of Persons with Disabilities in Ukraine").

It is evident that the act in question delineates specific 
measures designed to provide support to disabled 
veterans. This aspect constitutes a pivotal element in 
honouring their sacrifice and service.

The Budget Code of Ukraine stipulates the 
financial provisions for social protection programmes  
for veterans, delineating the allocation of funds 
through both state and local budgets. The articles of 
the Code stipulate that the financing of medical care, 
social security, sanatorium and resort treatment, and 
rehabilitation programmes is to be conducted on the 
basis of separate budget programmes that are approved 
by annual laws on the State Budget of Ukraine. 
Consequently, the 2023 and 2024 State Budgets of 
Ukraine allocated financial resources to initiatives 
encompassing medical care, social security, sanatorium 
and resort treatment, and rehabilitation of war  
veterans. In particular, in 2024, 785.4 million UAH 
was allocated for sanatorium and resort treatment, 
representing a 7.5% increase on the previous year. 
A budget of 749.4 million UAH was allocated for a pilot 
project on dental prosthetics for certain categories of 
persons who defended the independence of Ukraine 
(The Budget Code of Ukraine). However, the precise 
amounts allocated directly for medical care, social 
security and rehabilitation programmes for war 
veterans are not detailed in open sources. In order to 
obtain specific data, it is recommended that contact be 
made with the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine,  
or that the official publications of the State Budget  
of Ukraine for the relevant years be consulted.

The Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of 
Ukraine dated March 31, 2015 No. 200 "On Approval 
of the Procedure for Using Funds Provided in the  
State Budget to Provide Certain Categories of the 
Population with Sanatorium and Resort Treatment" 
defines the mechanism for sending war veterans 
to sanatorium and resort treatment at the expense  
of the state. The preferential categories include: 

combatants; persons with disabilities as a result  
of the war; war participants; family members of the 
deceased (The Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers 
of Ukraine "On Approval of the Procedure for Using 
Funds Provided in the State Budget to Provide Certain 
Categories of the Population with Sanatorium and 
Resort Treatment").

The Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of 
Ukraine dated June 17, 2004 No. 785 “On Approval 
of the Procedure for Providing Services for Free  
Transportation of Certain Categories of Citizens” 
provides for the right of veterans to free travel in urban 
and suburban transport (The Resolution of the Cabinet 
of Ministers of Ukraine "On Approval of the Procedure 
for Providing Services for Free Transportation of 
Certain Categories of Citizens"). The resolution 
also encompassed the approval of a mechanism for 
compensating the cost of services to carriers for 
transporting veterans.

It is important to note that there is currently a lack of 
consolidated information regarding the total amount 
of compensation paid to carriers for transporting 
war veterans in Ukraine for the 2023–2024 period.  
This is due to the fact that compensation for  
preferential travel is carried out mainly at the level  
of local budgets, and each territorial community 
independently determines the volumes and mechanisms 
of such payments. For example, the Mykolaiv Village 
Council of the Sumy District of the Sumy Region  
adopted the Program for Reimbursement of 
Compensation for the Transportation of Certain 
Privileged Categories of Citizens on Suburban Routes 
of Public Use by Road Transport for 2024. The total 
financial provision for this programme amounts to 
2,138,688 UAH, of which 1,231,200 UAH is allocated 
from the village council budget. The programme 
encompasses a range of beneficiaries, including 
those with a history of military service. The Stryi 
Urban Hromada has approved the Program for 
Reimbursement of Compensation for Transportation 
of Certain Privileged Categories of Citizens on 
Urban and Suburban Routes of Public Use by Road  
Transport for 2024, with a total funding allocation 
of 36 million UAH. The objective of the programme  
is to provide compensation to carriers for the  
provision of preferential transportation services, 
with a particular emphasis on those who have served  
in the war. 

It is worth noting that the State Budget of Ukraine 
for 2025 sets expenditure on veteran policy at  
10.7 billion UAH. However, these funds cover a wide 
range of support measures for veterans and do not  
specify the amounts intended for compensation 
for preferential transportation services. Due to 
the decentralised nature of financing preferential 
transportation, accurate data on compensation  
for transporting war veterans can be obtained by 



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contacting the relevant local authorities or studying  
the official reports of local budgets for 2023–2024.

The Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of  
Ukraine dated February 22, 2006 No. 187  
"On Approval of the Procedure for Providing  
Disabled Persons and Other Certain Categories of the 
Population with Technical and Other Rehabilitation 
Means" establishes that the state grants veterans 
with disabilities the right to: receive prosthetic and 
orthopedic products, mobility aids; rehabilitation 
services; technical means to improve the quality 
of life (The Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers  
of Ukraine "On Approval of the Procedure for Providing 
Disabled Persons and Other Certain Categories of 
the Population with Technical and Other Means of 
Rehabilitation").

The regulatory and legal acts in question collectively 
constitute a system of administrative and legal 
mechanisms that enable the state to honour war 
veterans, not only in a symbolic sense, but also in 
a socio-economic capacity, through the provision of 
support, compensation, care and state recognition of 
their role in the defence of the country.

3. Conclusions
In conclusion, it is evident that the state, in its efforts 

to honour war veterans as a pivotal component of the 
execution of its socio-economic function in a period 
of heightened exigency, undertakes the following 
measures:

The provision of benefits and social guarantees is 
an important aspect of veteran support. War veterans 
have the right to free medical care, sanatorium and 
resort treatment, discounts on housing and communal 
services, free travel in public transport, tax benefits, 
provision of medicines, as well as priority service in 
social protection institutions.

Material assistance and pension provision are 
provided in the form of increased pensions, one-time 
cash payments to commemorative dates, compensation 
for damage to health during military service, and 
allowances for special services to the Motherland.

Provision of housing. The state implements 
programmes to provide veterans with housing by 
providing preferential terms for loans or monetary 
compensation for unused housing rights.

Vocational rehabilitation and employment. 
Organisation of professional retraining programmes, 
state support for veteran entrepreneurship, and 
employment benefits.

The perpetuation of memory and the organisation 
of ritual services may take various forms. These 
include the installation of monuments and memorial 
plaques, the naming of streets, the organisation of state  
events to commemorate specific dates, the ensuring of 
a dignified burial for the deceased, and the allocation  
of funds for the maintenance of graves.

Psychological support and social adaptation include 
the operation of psychological rehabilitation centres 
and support programmes for veterans with PTSD, 
as well as the work of social services with the families  
of the deceased and injured. Taken together, these 
measures demonstrate society's gratitude and the 
practical implementation of the socio-economic 
function of the state, which is aimed at ensuring the 
well-being, dignity, and reintegration of war veterans 
into civilian life.

Concomitantly, it is posited that in light of the 
prevailing martial law and the paucity of financial 
resources available for the provision of material  
support to war veterans and the organisation of events 
to honour them as a component of the execution  
of the socio-economic function of the state during 
a designated period, the following deficiencies can be 
identified:

Firstly, it is important to consider the formality of 
approaches. In many cases, honoring is declarative 
in nature and is limited to one-time ceremonies or 
awarding awards, without being accompanied by 
systematic social support.

Secondly, the fragmentation of legal regulation. 
The absence of a consolidated honoring policy at the 
legislative level gives rise to incoherence in the actions 
of public authorities and instability in funding.

Thirdly, insufficient funding was cited as a  
contributing factor. During periods of martial law, 
a considerable proportion of budgetary resources is 
allocated to the sphere of direct defence, with socio-
economic programmes for veterans being financed on 
a residual basis.

Fourthly, the unevenness of regional support is 
a salient issue. In light of the decentralised nature of the 
commemoration initiatives, a considerable reliance is 
placed on the involvement of local authorities. This has 
the effect of engendering an imbalance between regions, 
with a higher level of support being observed in affluent 
hromadas.

Fifthly, the integration of the concept into 
contemporary social processes is inadequate.  
The practice of commemoration is not often concomitant 
with the reintegration of former servicemen and women 
into public life, thus diminishing its significance in the 
context of fostering an inclusive society.

In order to resolve these issues, the following  
proposal is put forward:

1. In the field of legislation, the regulation of 
commemoration as a component of social policy is 
imperative. It is recommended that a separate article 
be included, or even a section, in the Law of Ukraine  
"On Status of War Veterans and Guarantees of Their 
Social Protection" on the commemoration policy,  
with clear indicators of its implementation.

2. Financial sustainability. The introduction of  
targeted programmes for financing commemorative 



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events, supporting families of the deceased and 
memorial initiatives at state and local budget levels.

3. Commemoration should be integrated  
with other events. This could involve combining 
commemoration with employment, training and 
rehabilitation, for example through supporting  
veteran businesses and creating thematic rehabilitation 
centres of memory.

4. Developing partnerships with the public sector. 
Providing support to veterans' organisations that  

initiate and hold commemorative events, involving 
businesses and charitable foundations.

5. Creating a unified national Register of Heroes, 
interactive maps, and applications that would popularise 
veterans' stories and strengthen the nation's identity.

Such an approach would not only ensure that  
veterans are honoured with dignity, but also serve to 
transform this policy into a pivotal component of social 
cohesion and economic development in the country 
during this crucial period.

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Received on: 09th of April, 2025
Accepted on: 21th of May, 2025

Published on: 25th of June, 2025