Ukraine streamlines military award procedures: new Defense Ministry measures to accelerate recognition of heroes
Following decisions made by senior military and governmental authorities, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense is implementing substantial changes to the process of awarding soldiers for their combat achievements.
This initiative aims to significantly reduce the time required for document processing and eliminate bureaucratic hurdles that have historically slowed down the recognition process.
Recently, the procedure for awarding medals and honors took anywhere from three to eight months due to lengthy approvals and manual document handling.
In response, the Defense Ministry has introduced a new streamlined algorithm designed to expedite and optimize workflow.
According to the updated process, military units will send award documentation directly to their relevant military command bodies, which will then forward these documents straight to the higher command structures of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Both levels of review will now be limited to a maximum of two days each.
Afterward, documents move to the Office of the President, accelerating the entire process so that awards are issued within approximately 8 to 16 days on average.
Additionally, there are considerations to integrate awarded certificates into the «Diia» mobile app, making recognition even more accessible and efficient for service members.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has actively supported these changes, emphasizing the importance of swift and transparent recognition of military personnel.
He tasked officials with revising award documentation procedures and has also increased financial support for combat units: each brigade will receive an additional seven million hryvnias to bolster their operational capabilities and morale amid ongoing hostilities.