Cabinet of Ministers opens possibility for relatives of those killed in ATO to leave Ukraine

On August 11, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine lifted restrictions on crossing the state border during martial law for family members of people killed or missing in action in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO).

According to the Ministry of Veterans, the relevant changes were made to the rules for crossing the state border by Ukrainian citizens. The term ATO covers the period from the beginning of Russia's armed aggression in 2014 to April 30, 2018.

This applies to citizens liable for military service who were not called up for military service during mobilization. According to the Ministry, the ban on travel for such persons, despite their non-compliance with military conscription during the conflict, was unfair.

According to the old version of the border crossing rules, only those whose relatives were killed or went missing in the course of ensuring national security and defense, as well as deterring Russian aggression in Donetsk and Luhansk regions (Joint Forces Operation: April 30, 2018 - February 24, 2022), and in ensuring national security and defense, repulsing and deterring armed aggression against Ukraine (from February 24, 2022) had the right to leave.

"Russia's military aggression against Ukraine began in 2014 and resumed on February 24, 2022 with a massive invasion. Therefore, it is important for us to avoid unfair division of both Ukrainian defenders - participants in military and special events - and the rights of relatives of fallen soldiers," said Minister of Veterans Yulia Laputina.

It should be reminded that since May 2016, women and men whose close relatives (husband, wife, son, daughter, father, mother, grandfather, grandmother or sibling (both full and half) were killed or went missing during the ATO have had the right to leave. As early as July 29, 2022, men and women liable for military service whose close relatives were also killed or went missing in the course of deterring Russian aggression in Donbas and in Ukraine as a whole were exempted from conscription.