Visit to military units on the Zaporizhzhia front

Payments, rotations and other issues raised by service members in their complaints were discussed with commanders during a monitoring visit to military units carrying out combat missions on the Zaporizhzhia front.

The Office’s team received complaints from service members and explained which issues they can report by emailing skarha@milomb.gov.ua or using the online form on the Office’s website.

Several complaints were resolved on the spot, including those concerning the granting of combatant status, reinstatement in service after AWOL, and improving communication between commanders and law enforcement agencies.

The team explained the changes to the additional remuneration system, which provides payments ranging from UAH 10,000 to UAH 170,000, depending on the nature and location of the tasks performed. They also heard suggestions from soldiers and officers on how to organize recovery time for personnel after prolonged periods in combat positions.

The team provided brigade commanders with analytical materials based on the complaints reviewed by the Office, which compiles and analyzes complaints for each military unit. They highlighted issues requiring immediate attention, including prolonged stays in combat positions, rotation planning, and the payment of additional remuneration. They emphasized that the law requires service members to be granted 15 consecutive days of their annual basic leave. A servicemember may choose not to take these days only voluntarily.

One of the commanders highlighted the need to expand the list of military units eligible to recruit foreign volunteers.

The Office noted a downward trend in the number of complaints from service members of the 225th Separate Assault Regiment since September.

Ruslan Tsyhankov, First Deputy Military Ombudsman, held a working meeting with Brigadier General Oleh Honcharuk, Commander of the “South” Joint Forces Group. They discussed issues arising in military units subordinate to the “South” Joint Forces Group, particularly those concerning the protection of service members’ rights.