Amidst the ongoing conflict and large-scale mobilization, Ukraine's corporate sector faces the challenge of not only supporting active soldiers but also ensuring their successful reintegration into civilian life. DTEK, the country's largest energy company owned by Rinat Akhmetov, demonstrates a systematic approach to this challenge, transforming veteran support from one-off charity into a strategic business tool.
From social responsibility to business strategy
According to delo.ua, DTEK has radically revised its approach to working with veterans. While support was previously viewed as part of corporate social responsibility (CSR), today it has become an integral part of the business development strategy. Company leadership emphasizes that investing in the return of specialists from the front is just as important as modernizing production capacities or implementing new technologies.
The company accompanies the employee throughout the entire journey: from the moment of mobilization to returning to the team, professional development, and career building. This comprehensive approach allows for minimizing the loss of qualified personnel and ensures the continuity of business processes.
Barrier-free audit and modernization of workplaces
A key stage of adaptation was the creation of a physical environment accessible to people with disabilities. In 2024–2025, DTEK invited external barrier-free experts to conduct a comprehensive audit of all production sites. The result was specific recommendations for infrastructure modernization, allowing veterans with injuries or disabilities to work comfortably.
Company specialists note that the main indicator of success is not the number of events held, but the real ability of a person to return to professional realization. Workplace adaptation includes not only architectural changes but also a review of job descriptions and the introduction of a flexible work schedule.
Job selection tools and entrepreneurship development
In 2026, DTEK presented the first specialized job selection tool in Ukraine, oriented towards veterans with disabilities. The system allows for automatically matching the candidate's physical capabilities with the requirements of a specific position, eliminating discrimination at the selection stage. Furthermore, the company is actively developing an external support direction, assisting veteran entrepreneurship and creating inclusive practices that can be scaled by other enterprises.
Special attention is paid to retraining. As part of the "ProVeteran" program, employees undergo training in new professions, including in the field of solar energy, which opens up prospects for growth in the conditions of the energy sector transformation.
Recognition of the model's effectiveness
DTEK's comprehensive veteran support program has already received recognition at the state level. In 2024, the company won in the "Veteran Support" nomination of the "Responsible Country" social projects competition. Experts noted the systematicity of the approach, covering psychological and medical assistance, workplace adaptation, training, and long-term support after returning to work.
Today, DTEK is considered a benchmark example of how large business can effectively solve social tasks by integrating them into its operational activities. The company's experience is studied by other enterprises and can become the basis for forming national standards for veteran policy.
