Who can claim compensation for a soldier killed in Ukraine?

Not every family member can file automatically. Ukrainian law defines a specific order of eligible beneficiaries and requires documented proof of the family relationship.

Recognized beneficiaries under Ukrainian law

Ukrainian legislation on veteran status and martial law provisions recognizes the following as potential beneficiaries of the one-time financial assistance:

• Spouse — the marriage must be officially registered. Common-law partners without registration are generally not recognized unless a specific court ruling exists.
• Children — includes biological, adopted, and in some cases stepchildren with proven economic dependency. Adult children may be included if dependency is demonstrated.
• Parents — mother and father of the fallen soldier, regardless of age. If divorced, both may have proportional rights.
• Legal guardians and dependents — when a court ruling establishes guardianship or proven economic dependency on the fallen soldier.
• Siblings and other relatives — only in the absence of the above, with documented proof of direct economic dependency.

Priority order among beneficiaries

When multiple eligible beneficiaries exist, Ukrainian authorities apply a priority order. Spouses and children take precedence over parents, who take precedence over other relatives. If there are multiple beneficiaries at the same level, the compensation may be distributed among them.

Distribution among beneficiaries must be agreed upon or resolved through formal procedure. Legado de Valor assists with this process to prevent conflicts or duplicate claims.

Documents that prove the family link

Common special cases

• Family living outside Ukraine: documents issued in another country always require apostille and official Ukrainian translation before being accepted.
• Foreign volunteer in the International Legion: the process is similar but may require additional service contract documentation and unit verification.
• Missing in action without death certificate: the process can begin with a declaration of death or equivalent court ruling.
• Multiple simultaneous claimants: if several family members file separately, authorities may suspend payment until distribution is clarified.

Can I claim if I live outside Ukraine?

Yes. Foreign residency does not prevent the claim. However, all proceedings before Ukrainian authorities require legal representation (notarized power of attorney) or physical presence in Ukraine for certain steps. Legado de Valor manages representation and coordinates necessary formalities for international families.