--- title: "Ukraine Prepares “Uninterrupted Assistance”: Released Prisoners Promised Support Throughout Adaptation Period" description: "Ukraine is preparing continuous support for those released from Russian captivity: instead of a few months of aid, support will be provided for the entire adaptation period of the individual and their family. A pilot has already been launched in Odesa." date: 2026-11-04T14:24:07.902Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ukraine-prepares-uninterrupted-assistance-for-released-prisoners tags: [ukraine, veterans, prisoners-of-war, rehabilitation, social-policy, ministry-of-veterans] author: "Alexander Buran, Andrey Kosynko" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Ukraine Prepares “Uninterrupted Assistance”: Released Prisoners Promised Support Throughout Adaptation Period ![Ukrainian servicemen and citizens released from captivity walking toward buses wrapped in Ukrainian flags.](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/04/ukraine-nepreryvaya-podderzhka-osvobozhdennyh-iz-plena/ukraine-nepreryvaya-podderzhka-osvobozhdennyh-iz-plena-1.webp) ## Key Points - Ukraine plans to replace short-term aid for released prisoners with continuous support throughout the adaptation period. - Between 2022 and 2026, 9,996 Ukrainian citizens were released from Russian captivity. - The “Uninterrupted Assistance” model was developed by the Ministry of Veterans, Ministry of Social Policy, Verkhovna Rada, Coordination Headquarters, and “Lesna Poliana” Center. - Support will include medical, psychological, and social services for the individual and their family, provided in person or online. - A 9-month pilot was launched at the Odesa branch of “Lesna Poliana” involving 20 released individuals, 30+ family members, and 20+ specialists. - Following the pilot, a joint Cabinet of Ministers resolution on the new continuous assistance procedure will be prepared. Ukraine plans to fundamentally overhaul its state support system for individuals released from Russian captivity. According to RBC-Ukraine, citing a statement by the Ministry of Veterans Affairs on Facebook, instead of assistance currently limited to a few months, the agency intends to introduce continuous support that will last as long as the person and their family need it. The initiative has already received the working title “Uninterrupted Assistance” and has moved from the discussion stage to pilot testing. ### Why the Previous Model Proved Insufficient According to data provided in the Ministry of Veterans Affairs statement, between 2022 and 2026, 9,996 Ukrainian citizens were released from Russian captivity. A significant portion of them spent years in captivity, and specialists note that the consequences of isolation, torture, and trauma often do not manifest immediately—appearing months or even years after return. Meanwhile, current state assistance essentially ends upon discharge from inpatient care or the completion of primary reintegration measures, lasting only a few months. This mismatch between the duration of rehabilitation and the support period became the main reason for revising the approach. ### What the New Model Entails The long-term support model was developed through joint efforts by representatives of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, the Ministry of Social Policy, the Verkhovna Rada, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, and the “Lesna Poliana” Center for Mental Health and Veteran Rehabilitation. It provides comprehensive support for released prisoners and their loved ones: medical, psychological, and social services will be delivered in a coordinated manner within a single multidisciplinary team. The team will include psychiatrists, psychotherapists, rehabilitators, family psychotherapists, social workers, and case managers. Assistance will be available both in person and online. ### Families at the Center of the Program A separate block of the new model is dedicated to the families of released prisoners. As developers emphasize, loved ones also go through a difficult adaptation process, so support for them will be included in the overall recovery program. Another key principle is the accessibility of aid by place of residence: individuals should be able to receive necessary services as close to home as possible, without having to relocate or travel to other regions. ### Pilot in Odesa and What Lies Ahead The “Uninterrupted Assistance” pilot project has already been launched at the Odesa branch of the “Lesna Poliana” Center and will last for nine months. It will involve 20 Ukrainians released from captivity, over 30 family members, and more than 20 Center specialists. Following the pilot, a new state procedure for providing continuous assistance is planned; the work is to conclude with the preparation of a joint resolution by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. Thus, by the end of 2026 and in 2027, Ukraine may establish the regulatory framework to ensure that support for released prisoners and their families becomes a continuous process rather than a one-time measure. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Освобожденным из плена готовят длительную помощь: что хотят изменить в Украине](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/zvilnenim-iz-polonu-gotuyut-trivalu-dopomogu-1793800507.html) - Primary source: Ministry of Veterans Affairs Facebook post. Confirms the continuous support plan, the figure of 9,996 released between 2022–2026, the multidisciplinary team composition, pilot parameters in Odesa (9 months, 20 participants, 30+ families, 20+ specialists), and plans for the CMU resolution. ## FAQ ### How many people were released from Russian captivity between 2022 and 2026? According to the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, 9,996 Ukrainian citizens were released from captivity from 2022 to 2026. ### How does the new model differ from the current one? Currently, aid lasts a few months and ends after discharge or primary reintegration. The new “Uninterrupted Assistance” model provides continuous support for as long as the person and their family need it. ### Who is part of the support team? The multidisciplinary team includes psychiatrists, psychotherapists, rehabilitators, family psychotherapists, social workers, and case managers. ### Where and when was the pilot launched? The pilot started at the Odesa branch of the “Lesna Poliana” Center and will last for nine months, involving 20 released individuals, over 30 family members, and over 20 specialists. ### What happens after the pilot? Based on its results, a new state procedure for continuous assistance will be prepared as a joint resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.