From soldiers to civilians: the reintegration path of veterans in Ukraine

War has its consequences for society. These consequences emerge regardless of the course or end of the war, and it is crucial for both the state and society to recognize and address them in time.

The current realities of Ukraine focus society’s attention on mobilization and the conduct of war, the country’s economic stability, and military aid. At the same time, one of the key consequences of the war is the increasing number of veterans.

However, the protection and realization of their rights and interests sometimes do not receive the necessary attention from the state and society. The state has obligations to its veterans: ensuring their rights, legislative regulation, the implementation of benefits and services, as well as reintegration into society. This issue is not only important today but will also shape the development and planning of the future.

On the international stage, in countries with a significant veteran population, it has long been understood that the state must provide appropriate regulation in this area.

Firstly, the way we treat veterans directly correlates with the readiness of the new generation to serve in the military, and therefore the country’s defense capability.

Secondly, given that the number of veterans in Ukraine is steadily increasing, the realization of their rights, benefits, and services by the state influences the state of society, internal relations, process efficiency, and the economic level of communities. This is where reintegration and rehabilitation are critical.

Without proper reintegration, veterans will face numerous problems, both financial and psychological. In the long term, such challenges can lead to criminal behavior, which could result in veterans ending up within the justice system. In this case, Ukraine needs to develop appropriate judicial procedures aimed primarily at rehabilitation and reintegration, rather than punishment.

This issue is already actively being addressed in Ukraine. The public organization “Legal Hundred” is working on the project “Analysis of the possibility of implementing Veteran Courts in Ukraine,” focusing on the development of veteran-centered judicial procedures for handling veterans’ cases. Such a procedure will be one way to ensure the reintegration of veterans who have not received the proper services. It is necessary to clearly define the responsibility of the state and society towards the veteran — a person who has fulfilled their duty to defend the homeland. Proper reintegration of veterans is a necessary element of the social and economic development of the state.

What is reintegration? Where should the state’s responsibility end? What should be guaranteed?

When returning home to civilian life, veterans face a range of challenges: domestic, financial, physical, and psychological. The first year after discharge from service is considered the most critical. During this period, state support, community involvement, assistance from public organizations, family, and friends is essential to ease and prevent potential negative consequences. This is where reintegration is necessary.

Analyzing international research, reintegration is defined as the restoration of roles in the family, community, and workplace, influenced by various surrounding factors. Reintegration is both a process and a result of returning to civilian life, which involves the interaction of the individual with their environment.

To understand the necessary scope of services and support for veterans, it is important to define the concept of reintegration. For this purpose, several levels of reintegration can be outlined, and potential problems that veterans encounter at each level can be identified.

• Individual level (veteran and their personal condition)

At this level, the veteran is at the center. It is important to note that not all veterans face psychological or behavioral problems. However, a significant percentage of them require support. At this stage, the physical, psychological, demographic, and cultural aspects of reintegration come into play.

The state must regulate and recognize aspects such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, substance abuse, suicidal tendencies, physical injuries, disabilities, and brain trauma. All these phenomena that may arise as a result of war should be regulated at the legislative level, and reintegration services for veterans should be expanded.

• Interpersonal level (veteran and their close circle)

At this level, the veteran interacts with family, friends, children, and other close relationships. Although this aspect of reintegration is less studied, and the process of helping is quite complex, support from the state and society is necessary in the context of educating the population and providing psychological assistance to the veteran’s family members. Focus should be on helping spouses, families, or resolving issues with health, stress, and depression.

Reintegration at this stage plays an incredibly important role in maintaining the psychological stability of veterans and their families.

• Community level (veteran and daily life)

At this level, the veteran interacts with healthcare systems, employment, education, legal services, etc. Integrated mental health programs within the community and rehabilitation programs are vital. It is believed that a community of health and social services supports reintegration. At this level, programs for retraining or upgrading skills and guarantees for employment should be provided. Reintegration into different communities helps the veteran feel like a needed and active member of society.

• Societal level (veteran and the state)

At this level of reintegration, the veteran engages with the policies of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, as well as the overall economic and cultural status of the population. Here, the state’s proactive role is crucial in developing a transparent, clear, and accessible system of interaction between the veteran and the state. A clear stance on honoring veterans and supporting their reintegration should be understood by society.

Considering everything above, it becomes clear that reintegration is a complex and multifaceted concept. Successful reintegration involves all parties to the process and requires coordinated and timely action. The state plays a central role in this process. The outcome — the veteran’s return to life as an active, productive, mentally and physically stable member of society — depends on the alignment of state actions, timely planning, and the recognition of public needs. This general understanding of reintegration needs to be clearly expressed in terms of benefits and services that the state must systematically prepare and provide.

On the international level, there is no single exclusive list of services and benefits that should be provided to veterans. However, as Ukraine continues to develop its policies and practices regarding benefits and services for veterans, it is useful to study how different countries within the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) approach this important task. By analyzing these various models, Ukraine can identify the most suitable for itself and adapt them for an optimal and successful path to veteran reintegration.

Among OSCE member states, there is considerable diversity in the ways veteran assistance is provided. Many countries offer various types of benefits and services depending on factors such as the nature of service and disability incurred during service. This approach ensures that the specific needs of different veteran groups are met efficiently and proportionally.

A critical problem in many countries is the services for veterans facing homelessness. These veterans represent a particularly vulnerable group, and their psychological disorders (alcohol and drug dependence, PTSD, depression, etc.) are often the cause of homelessness. Research shows that veterans are at higher risk of homelessness due to factors such as poverty, lack of family support, and inadequate housing. Additionally, issues of domestic violence and suicide among veterans require special attention and assistance. Another important and necessary right of veterans is the right to a fair trial.

Countries like Canada and the United States have specialized ministries — the Canadian Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. These organizations are responsible for a comprehensive approach to rehabilitation and reintegration, from healthcare and benefits to assisting the transition to civilian life. Sweden places the reintegration and rehabilitation of veterans under its Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. By integrating veterans into its general healthcare system, Sweden recognizes their unique psychological needs, offering specialized psychiatric services. Denmark is particularly interesting for Ukraine. There, care for veterans is a joint responsibility of the state, regional and municipal authorities, civil society, and the business community.

In conclusion, three main categories of benefits and services should be provided by the state for reintegration:

• Material support, including payments, disability pensions, and subsidized services, ensuring veterans have access to necessary resources such as housing, education, and employment.
• Non-material support, including health recovery, psychological counseling, and assistance for veterans with PTSD and other psychological issues.
• Memorial and social events to recognize and foster respect for veterans in society, such as maintaining cemeteries, organizing and supporting national memorial events, educational projects, and nationwide recognition of veterans’ contributions to national security.

As Ukraine seeks to improve its veteran policies, international examples can provide valuable lessons in building a system of benefits and services. Adapting a model that combines specialized services for unique physical and psychological needs with comprehensive societal support would be highly beneficial. Paying attention to mental health care, especially for conditions like PTSD, can significantly improve the reintegration process for Ukrainian veterans.

By examining these international models, Ukraine has the opportunity to build a system of benefits and services for veterans that is both effective and respects the unique experiences of veterans. Such a system should ensure care and respect for those who have served the nation and deserve the support of the state and society.