The President of Ukraine signed a law amending Article No. 3 of the Law of Ukraine "On the Armed Forces of Ukraine." As a result, a new branch of the Armed Forces—the Drone Systems Forces—was officially established. This structure is designed to develop and support the operation of unmanned and robotic aerial, marine, and ground systems.
Ukraine became the first country in the world to create such a branch of force.
For reference: On February 6, 2024, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed Decree No. 51/2024, "On Increasing the Capabilities of the Defense Forces," according to which a separate branch of the military, the Drone Systems Forces, was to be created within the structure of the Ukrainian army. The government supported Zelensky's initiative on May 7.
The Cabinet of Ministers Proposes Changes to the Law: Military Personnel Can Independently Decide Who Will Receive Their Financial Support
The Cabinet of Ministers submitted a draft law for consideration, which was adopted as a basis. It proposes amendments to Article 9 of the Law of Ukraine "On Social and Legal Protection of Military Personnel and Their Families." If the law is passed, military personnel can decide independently to whom their financial support will be paid.
The draft law introduces the following innovations:
Ukraine became the first country in the world to create such a branch of force.
For reference: On February 6, 2024, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed Decree No. 51/2024, "On Increasing the Capabilities of the Defense Forces," according to which a separate branch of the military, the Drone Systems Forces, was to be created within the structure of the Ukrainian army. The government supported Zelensky's initiative on May 7.
The Cabinet of Ministers Proposes Changes to the Law: Military Personnel Can Independently Decide Who Will Receive Their Financial Support
The Cabinet of Ministers submitted a draft law for consideration, which was adopted as a basis. It proposes amendments to Article 9 of the Law of Ukraine "On Social and Legal Protection of Military Personnel and Their Families." If the law is passed, military personnel can decide independently to whom their financial support will be paid.
The draft law introduces the following innovations:
- In writing, a service member may specify who should receive their financial support if they are taken prisoner or go missing.
- If no such instructions exist, the payments will be divided equally among spouses, children, and parents. If there are none, adult children or close siblings will receive payments, but no more than 20% of the total financial support.
- Unpaid funds will be included in the inheritance in case of the servicemember's death, except in cases of voluntary surrender, desertion, or unauthorized absence from service.
- Previously, only family members (spouse, children, parents) could receive financial support. Other close individuals, such as those in unregistered relationships, had no such rights.
Implementation of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court into Ukrainian Legislation
Forty-three members of parliament from the political parties “Servant of the People,” “Holos,” “Batkivshchyna,” and the parliamentary group “Dovira” submitted draft law No. 11538 “On Criminal Responsibility for International Crimes.” This is connected to Ukraine's ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The law will apply not only to Ukrainian citizens but also to foreigners and stateless persons who have committed crimes both on Ukrainian territory and abroad.
The main types of punishments for international crimes:
Forty-three members of parliament from the political parties “Servant of the People,” “Holos,” “Batkivshchyna,” and the parliamentary group “Dovira” submitted draft law No. 11538 “On Criminal Responsibility for International Crimes.” This is connected to Ukraine's ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The law will apply not only to Ukrainian citizens but also to foreigners and stateless persons who have committed crimes both on Ukrainian territory and abroad.
The main types of punishments for international crimes:
- Imprisonment for up to 30 years;
- Life imprisonment.
- These crimes will not be subject to statutes of limitations.
The draft law defines the following types of international crimes:
- Genocide, public calls for genocide, or its denial;
- Crimes against humanity (murder, enslavement, deportation, human trafficking, torture, enforced disappearance, rape, etc.);
- War crimes (killings, violations of international humanitarian law);
- Crimes of aggression and propaganda of aggression.
- Along with this draft law, draft law No. 11539 was submitted, which introduces changes to the Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes to ensure the application of new norms. These legislative changes aim to align Ukrainian law with the requirements of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
The Cabinet of Ministers Proposes to Simplify the Recruitment of Foreigners into the Armed Forces of Ukraine
The Cabinet of Ministers proposed changes to the Law of Ukraine "On Military Duty and Military Service."
The draft law provides for:
The Cabinet of Ministers proposed changes to the Law of Ukraine "On Military Duty and Military Service."
The draft law provides for:
- The creation of foreign recruitment centers;
- The consideration of applications from foreigners and stateless persons for service in military units through recruitment centers, administrative service centers, employment services, and territorial recruitment centers after a preliminary check;
- A special check of candidates, including the legality of their stay in Ukraine, criminal records, connections with foreign intelligence services, and psychophysiological testing.
- The requirement to obtain Ukrainian citizenship to award officer ranks has also been abolished. These changes will allow for the better recruitment of foreigners for service in Ukrainian military formations.
The Cabinet of Ministers Initiates Strengthening the Protection of Whistleblowers in the Armed Forces of Ukraine
The Cabinet of Ministers proposed amendments to the Internal Service Statute and the Disciplinary Statute of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to strengthen the fight against corruption. Draft laws submitted on September 9 and 17, 2024, introduce the following requirements for servicemembers:
The Cabinet of Ministers proposed amendments to the Internal Service Statute and the Disciplinary Statute of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to strengthen the fight against corruption. Draft laws submitted on September 9 and 17, 2024, introduce the following requirements for servicemembers:
- Not to participate in corrupt practices;
- To adhere to rules regarding conflicts of interest;
- Not to use their position for personal gain;
- To refuse gifts;
- To avoid working with close relatives;
- To report conflicts of interest when executing orders.
- Whistleblowers will also have the ability to choose reporting channels that are not directly subordinate to their immediate commanders, such as through special units or a whistleblower portal. The new rules expand their rights and guarantees by the Law "On Prevention of Corruption." These changes will bring military statutes in line with anti-corruption legislation and help prevent conflicts of interest within the Armed Forces.
New Development: Combatant Status Will Now Be Granted Automatically
The Cabinet of Ministers adopted Resolution No. 1041, simplifying the automatic granting of combatant status through a digital system. From now on, information about the servicemember's participation in combat missions in conflict zones or occupied territories will be entered into the Unified State Register of War Veterans within five days of the start of the mission.
Authorized persons are responsible for entering the data, while the commander is accountable for its accuracy. Once the information is entered, it can no longer be changed. The new procedure ensures the rapid granting of combatant status and guarantees social benefits for combatants.
The Cabinet of Ministers adopted Resolution No. 1041, simplifying the automatic granting of combatant status through a digital system. From now on, information about the servicemember's participation in combat missions in conflict zones or occupied territories will be entered into the Unified State Register of War Veterans within five days of the start of the mission.
Authorized persons are responsible for entering the data, while the commander is accountable for its accuracy. Once the information is entered, it can no longer be changed. The new procedure ensures the rapid granting of combatant status and guarantees social benefits for combatants.