The Ukrainian society must prepare for the return of soldiers to civilian life
As we enter the third year of full-scale war and the eleventh since the onset of Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine, our country still lacks a unified, coordinated, and predictable policy regarding veterans of the Russo-Ukrainian war.
This was reported to journalists of the YouTube project "Kashtan. Interview" by volunteer and head of the Vinnytsia Analytical and Educational Center "Veteran Space," Maria Dovzhik.
"On a positive note: there is now a shift towards greater attention to our target audience, to veterans, to their family members, to those who have lost loved ones, and those who are coping with loss. New initiatives are emerging, and at the same time, there are those who can already call themselves or whom we can refer to as experts in this field and who can share their own experiences," said Dovzhik.
According to her, the current "veteran spaces" have realized at some point that they need to unite into a coalition of "veteran spaces," which has been accomplished.
Additionally, Dovzhik noted that the issues that veterans approach organizations for help with have somewhat changed.
"Currently, we often receive requests for legal assistance. We are receiving more inquiries regarding psychological support directly from veterans and their family members, particularly from the families of fallen defenders of Ukraine," explained Maria Dovzhik.
Dovzhik also pointed out that veteran organizations do not replace state functions.
"We, as I see it, act more as a tool through which veterans and their family members can better reintegrate into civilian life. We are not a substitute but rather a support to the state. We do not perform the functions that the state carries out, but if something is lacking, we step in," the interviewee clarified.
To learn more about the challenges veterans face and how society should prepare for their return, you can watch the latest episode of the YouTube project "Kashtan. Interview".