“The State does not do enough with regard to the sacrifices of veterans”, denounce veterans

As the war has just entered its 23rd month, more and more veterans are calling on associations to return to civilian life.

Almost two years of fighting. In Ukraine, the country is suspended from a law on mobilization to send nearly half a million people to the front against the forces sent by the Kremlin, and thus relieve the current troops exhausted by the lack of turnover and permissions. But the country must also take care of veterans, those wounded who can no longer serve. In kyiv, an association, Veteran Hub, helps them with administrative procedures, job searches or, quite simply, returning to civilian life.

When we visit them, there is an air alert in kyiv. The association sets up its offices in the parking lot. The tables and chairs are already there and the team is working as if nothing had happened. At 33, Rodion was officially demobilized in September 2022. He lost his right eye.

“Some things will never pass”

During this conflict, he confided having buried 126 brothers in arms since the start of the war. “When they’re there and they’re dying, helplessness is the worst feeling. You can’t do anything and you’re not even by their side“, he says. Rodion used the services of this NGO in particular for the search for work, but also for the psychological consultations offered. He is always monitored, he says, because he is prepared to work over the very long term. .”There are certain things that pass in a month or two, certain habits like waking up early or even over-reactions to noise. But if we talk about long-term consequences, some things will never happen. To this day, I hate it when children throw firecrackers under my feet. It’s a huge stress“, he explains.

Rlib was seriously injured in Mariupol, surviving a cruise missile strike. He looks at his watch: it’s been almost a year exactly since the army announced his departure from the force. At 27, he is already retired from the military, another injury for this volunteer.

“It’s difficult to accept that I can no longer do the job I saw myself doing all my life. It’s really difficult because I only spent two years in the army, that’s all. And I will not return there anymore because of my injury. I cannot be operational as a soldier.”

Rlib, veteran

at franceinfo

Now, the former marine infantryman works for this platform which helps veterans. He even became one of those responsible. “The State is not doing enough regarding the sacrifices of veteransdenounces Rlib. Assistance to veterans is moving slowly. If the state did enough, organizations like ours would not exist. There is nothing more to say than that our organization was created before the Department of Veterans Affairs…“Further proof of the complex situation around this issue: a pension is paid to veterans, tax deductions are even possible, but the bureaucracy is so heavy that many abandon the process.