Combat Participant Status in 2026: How It Is Granted Automatically and What to Do If You Haven't Received It

The status of a combat participant (CP) is a key document that gives military personnel and civilian defenders access to the benefits and social guarantees provided by the state. As of September 2026, the Ministry of Veterans of Ukraine has updated and detailed the procedure for granting this status, clarifying in which cases it is assigned automatically and in which cases a servicemember or volunteer must take independent action. This information was published in an official post by the Ministry of Veterans on Facebook and verified by the XAB.info editorial team using data from RBC-Ukraine and specialized publications.

Automatic Assignment: How It Works

In the vast majority of cases, a servicemember does not need to personally file an application for CP status. In each military unit, an authorized person is designated to enter the required information into the Unified State Register of Veterans of the War. Under the current procedure, this data must be entered within five days after the start of a combat assignment. On the basis of these records, CP status is granted automatically. The servicemember receives notification of the status assignment through the unit's electronic cabinet or by email. A similar automatic procedure applies to servicemembers who have been taken prisoner or are missing in action: in such cases, the state provides for the possibility of using the corresponding benefits for members of their families without additional applications.

When You Need to Act Independently

If the command has not entered the required data into the register, a servicemember has the right to apply for CP status independently. The application must be accompanied by documents confirming participation in combat actions or in measures to defend Ukraine. Commissions authorized to consider such applications operate in the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Police, the National Guard, the Security Service of Ukraine, the State Border Service, the State Emergency Service, and other law enforcement bodies. Discharged servicemembers can also obtain CP status through the relevant commission. If a person is registered for military service, they may apply to the territorial recruitment and social support center (TRSSC) at their place of registration. If a servicemember has been removed from the register, they should apply to the commission of the body to which their unit was subordinated. For those who served outside the Armed Forces of Ukraine, documents are submitted to the commission of the relevant body — for example, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Guard, the SBU, or the State Border Service.

Document Verification and Review Periods

The TRSSC has the right to independently request the necessary certificates from the military unit. If the unit refuses to provide the documents, the TRSSC is empowered to obtain them through the courts. The commission reviews the submitted materials within 30 days of the application being filed. At the end of the review, a decision is made to grant or deny CP status. After a positive decision, information about the status is entered into the Unified State Register of Veterans of the War, and the Ministry of Veterans issues an identity card and a chest badge. An extract from the register can be obtained at any administrative services delivery center (CSDC) or through the "Single Window" service. This document confirms the granting of the status and allows the holder to use all the benefits provided by law.

Separate Procedure for Civilian Volunteers

For civilians who participated in the defense of Ukraine as volunteers, a separate mechanism is provided. It is necessary to submit an application and documents confirming participation in the defense of Ukraine to the interdepartmental commission of the Ministry of Veterans. Documents can be submitted through any CSDC regardless of the registered place of residence, or directly to the Ministry of Veterans, including by mail. After a positive decision, information about the status is entered into the Unified State Register of Veterans of the War, and the Ministry of Veterans issues an identity card and a chest badge. Thus, both servicemembers and civilian defenders gain equal access to the social guarantees provided by legislation.

Related Social Guarantees

In addition to the main package of benefits, combat participants have the right to early retirement. Under the current rules, women must have 20 years of insurance record, and men — 25 years. In addition, in the event of loss of the combat participant identity card, servicemembers can obtain a new document through a simplified procedure, which eliminates the need to repeat the full cycle of documentary verification. According to specialized publications, these mechanisms are aimed at reducing the administrative burden on veterans and ensuring uninterrupted access to the social guarantees they are entitled to.