On September 29, representatives of the Donetsk Regional State Administration took part in a meeting to address issues concerning persons missing under special circumstances and captured Defenders of Ukraine. The meeting was chaired by Iryna Vereshchuk, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.
During the event, participants discussed a number of important issues, including support for the children of Ukrainian defenders who are considered missing under special circumstances or are being held captive, as well as the status of drafting, coordinating, and adopting the necessary regulatory and legal acts.
Special attention was given to expanding and updating the photo database of the Joint Center for the Coordination of Search and Release of Illegally Detained Persons, Hostages, and Prisoners of War under the Security Service of Ukraine.
They also discussed the processing and verification of lists of persons held captive without official confirmation from the International Committee of the Red Cross, taking into account alternative sources of information, as well as determining the whereabouts of unlawfully convicted Defenders of Ukraine.
Oleksandr Shevchenko, Deputy Head of the Donetsk Regional State Administration, provided an update on the measures being implemented in the region to support the children of Ukraine’s defenders who are considered missing under special circumstances or are being held captive.
To provide this support, the region has approved a procedure for granting monthly financial assistance in 2026 to the children of Ukraine’s defenders.
The assistance is provided to children whose parents were killed in action, are being held captive, or are considered missing under special circumstances while performing military service. It may also be received by children who resided or were registered in the Donetsk region but, due to the security situation, have relocated or been evacuated beyond its borders.
From February through September 2026, such assistance was provided to 848 children for a total amount of 18.852 million hryvnias.
In addition, the region has introduced a unified approach to developing support programs for war veterans, their family members, and the families of fallen (deceased) Defenders of Ukraine. These programs are implemented by the military administrations of the region’s settlements.
Under these programs, children of fallen (deceased) and missing Defenders of Ukraine are eligible for a one-time financial assistance payment of 5,000 hryvnias.
The Donetsk Regional State Administration continues to work on improving the support system for veterans, Defenders of Ukraine, and their family members.
For information and assistance for veterans and their family members, the “Defenders of Donetsk Region” chatbot is available on Telegram: t.me/ZakhysnykyDonechchyny_bot.
Consultations are also available by phone at 095 555 31 15—the Department of Veterans’ Policy of the Donetsk Regional State Administration.