Ukrainian dancer, model, and actor Nazar Grabar, in an interview with journalist Alina Dorotyuk published by the Styler project (RБК-Украина), spoke in detail about his path in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the circumstances of his discharge, and the financial support he receives from the state in his veteran status. According to the artist, the decision to leave service was driven by the adoption of a law providing for the possibility of discharge due to the loss of a close relative, as well as the will of his mother, who insisted on his return to civilian life.

From volunteer to assault squad commander

After the full-scale invasion began, Grabar voluntarily went to the front lines along with his brother Ilya. Initially, they served in the Zakarpattia Territorial Defense, after which they were transferred to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. During his service, Nazar went from rifleman and grenade launcher operator to assault squad commander. He earned the call sign "Ranger" due to his passion for American Ranger tactics and a military manual he constantly carried with him. In the winter of 2022, the dancer received shrapnel wounds to his chest, followed by evacuation and recovery. For his service, he was awarded the honorary badge of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the "Steel Cross".

A decision made by more than just himself

A pivotal moment in Grabar's fate was the death of his brother Ilya on December 24, 2022. Following the adoption of the law granting the right to discharge due to the loss of a close relative, Nazar had the opportunity to leave the army. However, the final choice was not easy: the command insisted on his continued service. "The battalion commander wanted me to stay, the company commander told me you're done," the artist recalls. The final decision was largely determined by his mother's position, who categorically demanded that her son return home.

Veteran status and actual benefits

Despite his official veteran status as a combat participant, Grabar admitted that he did not apply for a pension and did not receive separate payments related to his injury or combat participation. The only state support he uses is a monthly utility benefit amounting to just over 500 hryvnias. The artist suggested that he likely never provided the necessary documents to arrange assistance and did not look into existing veteran support programs. "I may have never dealt with this, but there are many programs that can help veterans. I am simply unqualified in this matter," he noted.

Media presence as a tool to help the unit

Parallel to his service, Grabar actively used his publicity to support his fellow soldiers. Thanks to crowdfunding campaigns on social media, his unit managed to purchase two pickups; one of them was subsequently used to evacuate Nazar himself after he was wounded. Furthermore, in frontline conditions, the dancer posted humorous videos on TikTok which, according to him, helped distract from the harsh daily routine and maintain both his own and his brothers-in-arms' morale.

Context: What is known about the veteran support program

Grabar's case clearly illustrates one of the systemic problems faced by combat veterans in Ukraine: a significant portion of individuals entitled to social guarantees do not apply for their due payments due to a lack of awareness about document submission mechanisms and the list of available programs. At the same time, the mere fact that the utility benefit exists confirms that basic veteran records are maintained in state systems, while an extended package of payments requires a separate application and documentary registration.